The head of the Kremlin met with Xi Jinping at the SCO summit.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin met with by Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Putin praised Xi Jinping for his “balanced” stance on the war in Ukraine and reprimanded the United States for “provocations” around Taiwan, Reuters reports.
This is Xi Jinping's first foreign tour since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking in his first face-to-face meeting with a Chinese leader since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin praised Xi for his stance, adding that he understood Beijing's “questions and concerns” about the war.
China refrains from condemnation. Russia's war against Ukraine and does not directly call it an “invasion” in line with the rhetoric of the Kremlin, which views the war as a “special military operation”.
“We highly appreciate the balanced position of our Chinese friends regarding the Ukrainian crisis. We understand your questions and concerns about this. During today's meeting, of course, we will explain our position,” Putin said.
The Kremlin leader also directly supported China's position on Taiwan.
China conducted military exercises around Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island last month. The Taiwanese government firmly rejects China's territorial claims.
“We intend to firmly adhere to the principle of 'One China,'” Putin said, adding that the Russian Federation condemns “the provocations of the United States and its allies in the Taiwan Strait”.
When did Xi and Putin last meet personally, just a few weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, they announced a “boundless” partnership and promised more cooperation against the West.
Nevertheless, Beijing is concerned about the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine on the world economy and has been careful not to provide material support to Russia, which could trigger Western sanctions against China's economy.
The partnership between Xi and Putin is considered one of the most important developments. in geopolitics after China's rapid rise over the past 40 years.
Once the leader of the world communist hierarchy, Russia, since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, is now the junior partner of a resurgent China, which is projected to overtake the United States as the world's largest economy in the next decade.
Nearly seven months wars against Ukraine are testing Russia's economic and military strength, although Putin says his country is leaning toward Asia as, he says, the West declines.
Although Russia and China have been rivals in the past, Putin and Xi share common views on the world, where they see the decline of the West. China also challenges US global influence.
Xi said China will cooperate with Russia.
“In the face of global and historical changes, China is ready to cooperate with Russia to play a leading role in demonstrating the responsibility of major powers, and to consolidate stability and positive energy in a world in turmoil,” Xi told Putin.
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Relations between Russia and China, which have only strengthened since the beginning of the war, are receiving a lot of attention. After setbacks on the battlefield, Putin is likely to rely on Beijing more than ever, experts say. China's support helps Moscow spread narratives, such as blaming EU sanctions for the food crisis, blaming NATO for starting the war. This creates a common denominator: dissatisfaction with the West, led by the United States, and a positive argument for closer ties with China”. China, analysts believe.
