Putin visits Beijing as a part of the friendly and "no‑limits" relationship between Russia and China as offensive unfolds in Ukraine
President Putin visited China to thank Xi Jinping for rejecting Ukraine and the West's plan for world peace, which followed the Kremlin's line. The heads of state criticized the American approach and promised to keep a close military alliance between Russia and China.
On May 16th, President Vladimir Putin, during his two-day visit to Beijing, met with Xi Jinping to discuss the close ties between countries and Russia's military actions in Ukraine. Although both leaders declared they sought world peace, none proposed specific solutions. Moreover, China proposed 2023 a world peace plan, which Ukraine and Western countries declined due to its pro-Moscowian character. As Xi Jinping said during today's meeting - "China hopes for the early return of Europe to peace and stability and will continue to play a constructive role toward this."
During the meeting, President Putin acknowledged the "no-limit" partnership between the two countries, simultaneously criticizing the military involvement of the US in international areas, especially in the southern Asia and Pacific Region. Xi Jinping told Vladimir Putin, "The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it." Reuters noted that he added, "China is willing to ... jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world." President Putin also commented on the biased Russia-favored world-peace plan, expressing his gratitude toward Xi Jinping, declaring the plan could "lay the groundwork for a political and diplomatic process that would take into account Russia's security concerns and contribute to achieving a long-term and sustainable peace."
The visit to China is President Putin's first overseas trip since he was inaugurated in his fifth term as a Russian President. He told Xi Jinping, "Together we are defending the principles of justice and a democratic world order reflecting multipolar realities based on international law."
Russian-Ukrainian war and involvement of China
Putin promised China's leader he would inform him about the unfolding Russian situation in Ukraine. Despite China's theoretically neutral stance, the Russian ally supported Putin's claim concerning Russia's motives for attacking Ukraine. Moreover, China continues to supply Russia with machine tools needed for weapon production.
More importantly, China and Russia issued a statement claiming that for "a sustainable settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, it is necessary to eliminate its root causes," sending a message to the West and particularly the USA and NATO, whom Putin blames for his attack on the country. Additionally, President Putin has also previously suggested the connection between the Ukrainian government to Nazis, despite President Zelensky's Jewish roots.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russia has become economically co-dependent on China, with European and Western economic sanctions being put on it. As CBS reports, China's trade with Russia, just last year, rose to $240 billion and allowed Russia not to feel the economic outcomes of sanctions that severely.
Xi Jinping further expressed his joy about tightening relations with Russia. He claimed, "I and President Putin agree that we should actively look for convergence points in the interests of both countries to develop each other's advantages and deepen integration of interests, realizing each others' achievements."
Sources: CBS News, AP News, Reuters
