Xi Jinping, the leader of China, arrived in Moscow on Monday for a three-day visit that demonstrates Beijing’s growing assertiveness in international relations and provides Russian President Vladimir Putin with a much-needed political boost just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for him on war crimes charges related to the conflict in Ukraine.
Xi’s visit has been hailed by China and Russia as a chance to further develop their “no-bounds friendship.” For its energy-hungry economy, China looks to Russia as a supplier of oil and gas as well as an ally in resisting what both countries perceive as U.S. dominance of international affairs. The two nations have also conducted joint military exercises.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, stated that over dinner on Monday, Putin and Xi will discuss matters pertaining to Ukraine and that Putin is likely to give a “full explanation” of Moscow’s position on the current state of affairs.
Peskov said that larger discussions including representatives from both countries and covering a variety of topics are planned for Tuesday.
As a result of Xi’s presence at the Kremlin, Putin is able to inform Western leaders who are supporting Ukraine that their attempts to isolate him have been unsuccessful.
Putin referred to Xi’s visit as a “landmark event” that “reaffirms the special nature of the Russia-China alliance” in a piece that appeared in the Chinese People’s Daily newspaper.
Putin made it clear that the meeting was intended to convey to Washington that the two nations are unwilling to accept attempts to undermine them.
China described Xi’s trip as a “tour of friendship, cooperation, and peace”
“The U.S. policy of simultaneously deterring Russia and China, as well as all those who do not bend to the American diktat, is getting ever fiercer and more aggressive,” Putin wrote.
After the International Criminal Court in The Hague said Friday that it wanted to prosecute Putin for the kidnapping of thousands of children from Ukraine, Xi’s trip followed.
Although the nearly 13-month-long war in Ukraine threw a significant shadow on the negotiations, China depicts Xi’s visit as part of routine diplomatic contacts and has provided little insight into the trip’s objectives.
Monday’s daily briefing in Beijing featured Wang Wenbin, a representative for the foreign ministry, who described Xi’s trip as a “tour of friendship, cooperation, and peace.”
On the war, Wang said: “China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks.”