Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, thanking him for his efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine. The two leaders reaffirmed their strong partnership, emphasizing their solidarity in the face of increasing tension with the West. The visit underscored the close ties between the two countries, which are both facing challenges in their relationships with the U.S. and Europe.
While both Putin and Xi expressed a desire to end the war in Ukraine, they did not offer any specific proposals during their public remarks. China, as a key supporter of Russia, has maintained a neutral position in the conflict but has backed Moscow’s assertions that Russia was provoked by the West. China previously proposed a peace plan that was rejected for not calling for Russia to leave occupied parts of Ukraine. Xi stated that China would continue to play a constructive role in seeking peace and stability in Europe.
Putin informed Xi about the situation in Ukraine and expressed appreciation for China’s initiative to regulate the conflict. The war in Ukraine has entered a critical stage, with Russia launching a new offensive. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has outlined conditions for negotiations, including restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Russian troops. He has warned that if the U.S. and NATO do not intervene, Russia could bring the war to Europe and the United States.
During their meeting, Putin and Xi signed a joint statement deepening the strategic partnership between their countries. They reiterated their commitment to non-alliance and non-confrontation and criticized the U.S. and NATO’s strategies in the Asia-Pacific region. China has been assertive in its territorial claims, particularly concerning Taiwan, a democratically governed island that the U.S. is bound to defend. The two leaders affirmed their no-limits relationship, which has strengthened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia has become increasingly economically reliant on China due to Western sanctions, with the two countries increasing trade and military cooperation. China is a significant market for Russian military hardware and is expanding its domestic defense industries. Putin has stated that Russia has shared sensitive military technologies with China, enhancing its defense capabilities. The strengthening military ties between Russia and China have raised concerns about their intentions in the region, particularly regarding Taiwan.
