Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China for a two-day state visit, marking his first overseas trip since starting a new term. The visit underscores the deepening relations between Moscow and Beijing amidst escalating tensions with the West. Putin’s arrival in China comes at a critical juncture as Ukraine faces Russian advances in the Kharkiv region. This visit serves as a strategic move, showcasing solidarity between Russia and China amidst global challenges.
Putin landed in the Chinese capital hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would halt all upcoming international visits, as his troops defend against Russia’s advances in his country’s north-eastern Kharkiv region.
During Putin’s visit, discussions are expected to cover a range of pressing issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in Gaza. The meetings between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will also focus on strengthening trade, security, and energy ties between the two nations, according to CNN.
In an interview with Chinese state media Xinhua, Putin emphasized the ‘unprecedented level of strategic partnership’ between Russia and China. He said the leaders aimed to “strengthen foreign policy coordination” and deepen cooperation in “industry and high-tech, outer space and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and other innovative sectors.”Putin also praised China’s “approaches to resolving the crisis in Ukraine.”
Notably, Beijing has never condemned Russia’s invasion, rather it claims ‘neutrality’ in the conflict and has called for peace talks that take both sides’ positions into account.
The two leaders have continued to strengthen their countries’ diplomatic, trade, and security ties since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As many countries introduced sanctions aimed at draining Russia’s war coffers, the trade between Moscow and Beijing has surged in the wake of the war, hitting record levels last year.
This is the fourth in-person meeting between Xi and Putin since the invasion and Putin’s second visit to Beijing in that time. Xi also visited Moscow in 2023 after entering his new term as China’s president, CNN reported.
(With inputs from ANI)
