Russian President Vladimir V. Putin arrived in Beijing on Thursday seeking another victory: advances for his troops in Ukraine and a boost at home as he secures an unprecedented fifth presidential term. Jinping’s political control has also been strengthened in pursuit of another victory: more support from his “dear friend” Xi Jinping.
Putin, whose economy remains largely isolated due to Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, relies on diplomatic cover and financial lifelines from Chinese leader Xi Jinping, including massive purchases of Russian oil. But Putin needs more help to sustain his war machine, especially now that his troops are advancing on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, just as the United States is sending billions of dollars worth of weapons to Ukraine to Propping up Ukraine’s depleted military. .
In Beijing, Putin sought to show that Moscow is deepening ties with Beijing as a bulwark against Western attempts to contain his country. “We are united in our commitment to a more just and democratic multipolar world order,” he said.
He promoted China’s role as Russia’s largest trading partner, emphasized the use of the Russian ruble and yuan in transactions between the two countries, and said the two sides would strengthen ties between credit institutions and banks. He also said the two leaders discussed closer cooperation on energy and nuclear power research, but made no mention of Moscow’s desire to build a natural gas pipeline to China.
Xi Jinping is committed to building a partnership with Putin, viewing Russia as an important counterweight to their common rival the United States. The two leaders share a vision of an alternative world order in which authoritarian states like China and Russia can operate without interference from Washington and its allies.
The pomp and pageantry that greeted Putin in Beijing clearly demonstrated the importance of the relationship between the two countries and their “infinite” strategic alliance. Xi Jinping held a well-designed welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, with a 21-gun salute and honor guards and children jumping and waving in synchrony.
Xi Jinping praised the relationship between the two countries as “a model for a new type of international relations and relations between major neighboring countries.” He said that the key to Sino-US relations is that the two countries “always firmly support each other on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns.”
But the Chinese leader is facing growing diplomatic and economic pressure from the West to cut any support that would help Putin’s war in Ukraine. Failure to do so risks further alienating Europe, a key trading partner needed to help revive China’s struggling economy.
The United States also accuses Beijing of aiding the Kremlin’s war effort by providing satellite intelligence, fighter jet parts, microchips and other dual-use equipment. During a visit to Beijing last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also warned of sanctions on Chinese banks aiding Russia’s war effort.Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Warning of “serious consequences” If Chinese companies provide material support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
After the talks, Xi Jinping read a statement to reporters in Beijing saying he and Putin discussed the war in Ukraine – which he called a “crisis” and reiterated China’s position, including “reasonable security” for “all parties” Concern” that Putin’s position against NATO should be respected. He said nothing about the West’s warnings.
For Putin, strengthening China’s support for him in the face of Western pressure may be the top priority of this visit.
During his meeting with Xi Jinping, he called for greater economic cooperation and said the two countries should prioritize the development of energy, industry and agriculture, as well as advanced technology, infrastructure construction and transportation. He praised the two countries’ use of rubles and yuan for trade settlements to circumvent U.S. restrictions on the use of dollars.
“The volume of trade between Russia and China continues to grow rapidly, despite some actions – some actions taken by third countries – aimed at limiting our development,” Putin said, according to Russian state media.
“Our cooperation today in international affairs is one of the main stabilizing factors on the international stage,” he added.
The two leaders have met more than 40 times, including virtually, and describe their relationship as very close. In a statement read to reporters, Putin sought to show that he was not alone and was in complete control. He said that he and Xi Jinping maintain frequent contacts, allowing the two leaders to “discuss any issue, even the most difficult ones, and bring all pressing issues on the Russian-Chinese and international agendas under personal control.”
Putin is leading a large delegation on the trip, reflecting his desire to deepen economic and military cooperation with Xi. Among them are Andrei R. Belousov, an economist Appoint new defense minister This week; Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economy; and Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Belousov has experience working with China, having previously served as co-chairman of the China-Russia intergovernmental investment cooperation committee, which was established in 2014 to promote more trade between the two countries.
Others accompanying Putin included the heads of Russian nuclear power company Rosatom and Russian space agency Roscosmos, as well as five deputy prime ministers. Among them is Alexander Novak, the official responsible for overseeing oil and gas affairs, including the development of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline. Putin is trying to reach an agreement with Xi Jinping on the project, which would divert Russian gas supplies to China that would otherwise go to Europe. The two leaders did not mention the pipeline Thursday, at least not publicly.
Wang Aoli Contributed research.
