After Russian President Vladimir Putin was indicted by the International Criminal Court last week for violations of the human rights of Ukrainian children, the president was expected to go into solitary confinement.
But it doesn’t seem like that happened. This Monday his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on a trip perceived as a strong endorsement of Putin. And also as an opportunity for Xi to join a possible effort at peace negotiations between Moscow and kyiv.
“I am sure that the visit will be fruitful and will give new impetus to the healthy and stable development of Sino-Russian relations,” the president said on the tarmac at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, referring to the two countries as “good neighbors.” and “trusted partners”.
From there, the Chinese president went directly to the Kremlin to have lunch with Putin, who received him in his office, where they talked for an hour. “This visit from the Chinese friend is important to us. He gives us the opportunity to explain our reasons, ”said the Russian.
Xi said bilateral ties were entering “a new era”, echoing comments by Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov last week, who said the two would sign documents to establish closer ties during the visit.
“In a world of volatility and transformation, China will continue to work with Russia to safeguard the international system with the UN at its center,” Xi said.
In an article published this Monday by a Chinese newspaper, Putin praised “China’s willingness to play a constructive role in the resolution” of the conflict and assured that “relations between Russia and China have reached their highest point.”
According to the spokesman for the Russian presidency, Dimitri Peskov, after today’s meeting between the two leaders, Tuesday will be the “day of negotiations” and in which they will hold a joint press conference.
Putin will explain to Xi “in detail” Moscow’s position on the Ukrainian conflict so that he can “learn first-hand the vision that the Russian side has of the current moment.”
The two leaders last met last September on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan. Xi then expressed “concerns” to Putin about the war in Ukraine, according to the Russian president.
China has said it was neutral in the conflict, but a month before the invasion, Xi and Putin proclaimed “unlimited friendship” at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, when the Russian president briefed his colleague on their plans, although without great details, according to the Russian press of those days.
However, after participating in the recent diplomatic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, China wants to mediate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine by calling for dialogue between the two countries.
Beijing refused to criticize the invasion of Ukraine, but condemned the imposition of sanctions on Moscow and accused the West of provoking the conflict and “fed the flames” by supplying Ukraine with weapons for its defence.
Relations between Beijing and Washington have deteriorated rapidly in recent years due to a trade and technology war, disputes over human rights, the status of Hong Kong and Taiwan, and sovereignty over the South China Sea.
no great results
However, despite all the words of good will, this first day of talks did not end with great results.
The talks covered plans to strengthen bilateral relations and also the war in Ukraine, according to an official Chinese summary of the meeting.
Citing the widely redacted framework for peace talks that China issued last month, Xi told his Russian counterpart that such talks were the only viable way to end the year-long war, according to a summary of the meeting published by Xinhua and reflected by The New York Times.
“Most countries support easing tensions, advocate peace negotiations and oppose adding fuel to the fire,” Xi told Putin. In fact, he added, “ultimately they must be resolved through dialogue. and the negotiations.
Putin said he had studied China’s document and was open to negotiations. But he gave no sign of having in mind any of the concessions that Ukraine has said must come before the talks, including the withdrawal of Russian troops. Ukraine has also ruled out giving up territory in exchange for peace.
Xi made it clear that he remained committed to building a strong relationship with Russia and to Putin as an invaluable partner in countering US global influence.
“Consolidating and developing Sino-Russian relations is a strategic choice that China has made in light of its own core interests and the general trends of global development,” said the Chinese president.
