Chinese leader Xi Jinping will fly to Moscow next week to meet with President Vladimir Putin.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Moscow next week for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin said they would discuss “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.” Xi’s visit to Russia comes against the backdrop of Beijing’s proposal to end the war in Ukraine, which the West has received with skepticism. Moreover, Kyiv’s allies have warned China against supplying arms to Russia.
Note that this will be the first visit of the Chinese leader to Moscow after the invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine. Xi is due to have lunch with Putin on Monday, followed by talks on Tuesday. What will be discussed with them and what is the proposal brought by the Chinese leader, read in the story Correspondent.net.
The theme of the war in Ukraine
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the visit would take place Monday through Wednesday at Putin’s invitation, and noted that the war in Ukraine would be a major part of the talks. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the PRC would maintain an “objective and fair stance” on the war and a “constructive role in facilitating peace talks.”
The Kremlin also confirms that the main issue of the meeting between Putin and Xi is the war in Ukraine.
“We fully appreciate the restrained, measured position of the Chinese leadership on this issue, we are aware of the Chinese settlement plan. I am sure that our leader and the Chinese leader will exchange their assessments of the current situation in context of the development of the conflict in Ukraine. What thoughts will appear after We’ll see about that,” said Yury Ushakov, aide to the head of the Russian regime.
Ushakov pointed out that on March 20, Putin and Xi Jinping will hold face-to-face talks in the Kremlin and have dinner together.
“We attach great importance to this informal closed dialogue, because during it the most important, key, sensitive issues related to the relationship between the two countries, including the conduct of business in the international arena, will be considered,” he said.
Friendship without boundaries
Xi’s visit comes as China tries to present itself as a neutral peace broker in Ukraine, including the recent release of a position paper. But the claim to mediation has been met with skepticism by Western leaders, who point to China’s refusal to recognize the nature of the war and growing ties with Russia.
Since the armed invasion, Xi has spoken with Putin several times, both virtually and in person. At the time, the parties declared “friendship without borders” and China refused to condemn the war or even call it that, instead beginning to accuse NATO of fomenting the conflict and disinformation against the Kremlin.
In addition, Xi has provided diplomatic support to Moscow, as well as strengthening economic and military ties through increased trade and frequent joint military exercises. And the fact that the Chinese leader is going to Russia testifies to Beijing’s firm support for Moscow.
Note that so far, China has not given military aid to Russia to help it win the war in Ukraine, even though the US says China is considering doing so.
Visiting support
Ukraine also believes that President Xi is building a train to Moscow to send a signal to the world that Russia has at least some allies. In a BBC interview before the Chinese President’s visit was announced, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: “I don’t think China has reached the point where it wants and is ready to arm Russia… The visit to Moscow is a message in itself, but I don’t think it will have any immediate effect.”
That message, according to Kuleba, is that “China and Russia are too close for a Chinese leader to visit his Russian counterpart, who is not doing very well.”
“And I think this is a message to the whole world, particularly to the West, but also, most importantly, to Russia, that he is not alone, that China is talking to him,” added Kuleba.
Next is a conversation with Zelensky?
Despite close ties with Putin, Xi has never spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the phone. In February, the head of our state said that he wanted to meet with the leader of the PRC.
“I really want to believe that China will not supply weapons to Russia,” he said.
Some US media reported that Xi and Zelensky will speak by phone after the Chinese leader’s visit to Moscow, but this has not been confirmed.
It should be noted that Dmitry Kuleba first talked with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gan. Kuleba said that in the phone call, the importance of the principle of territorial integrity was discussed, as well as the peace formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, China is not only an important partner of Ukraine, but an indispensable and major force in international relations.
Qin Gang during the talks focused on the “four principles” put forward by the PRC leader, emphasizing that China always adheres to an objective and impartial position on the Ukrainian issue, is committed to achieving peace and promoting negotiations.
“China will continue to play a constructive role for a ceasefire to stop the war, ease the crisis and restore peace,” Gang said.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.