Russian President Putin holds talks with China’s Xi Jinping via video link
Asia-Pacific, Europe, News December 31, 2022 No Comments on Russian President Putin holds talks with China’s Xi Jinping via video linkRussian President Vladimir Putin held a video link meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on December 30, 2022. The two leaders spoke about the ongoing war in Ukraine and its implications for the China-Russia relationship.
Russian President invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Moscow for an in-person meeting as Russia seeks to deepen cooperation with China amid the threat of increasing isolation over its ongoing war in Ukraine. President Xi in return told the Russian President that China would continue to uphold its “objective and fair stance” on the Ukraine issue and that the road to peace would not be smooth.
The Russian president stressed that the Chinese president’s visit “will show the strength of Russian-Chinese ties on key issues to the world, and will become the main political event of the year in bilateral relations.”
While speaking to Xi Jinping via video link, Putin said that Russia and China’s ties are currently the “best in history.” Putin expressed his wish to extend military collaboration with China and invited the Chinese President to visit Moscow.
“We are expecting you, dear Mr. Chairman, dear friend, we are expecting you next spring on a state visit to Moscow,” Putin told Xi in during his eight-minute-long introductory statement that was also broadcasted by the state media.
Xi, in turn, said his country was ready “to increase strategic cooperation with Russia”, and continue to “be global partners for the benefit of the peoples of our countries and in the interests of stability around the world”. The Chinese leader made no mention of a visit to Moscow, according to the official statement released by China’s state-owned media outlets.
“Facts have repeatedly proved that containment and suppression are unpopular, and sanctions and interference are doomed to failure,” Xi told Putin. “China is ready to work with Russia and all progressive forces around the world that oppose hegemonism and power politics and firmly defend the sovereignty, security, and development interests of both countries and international justice,” he added.
The U.S. said after the call that it was “concerned” by China’s alignment with Russia, and reiterated it had warned Beijing of consequences should it provide Russia with military assistance for its war against Ukraine or assistance in evading Western sanctions.
The U.S. State Department released a statement after Russian and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a video meeting. “Beijing claims to be neutral, but its behavior makes clear it is still investing in close ties to Russia,” a State Department spokesperson said, adding Washington was “monitoring Beijing’s activity closely.”
After receiving a barrage of economic sanctions from the western world for its invasion of Ukraine, Russia is seeking to deepen ties with China. Russia has taken over Saudi Arabia as one of the largest crude oil suppliers to China increasing bilateral trade between the two countries and worrying the western world even more.
Last week, the naval forces from China and Russia conducted a week-long live-fire exercise in the East China Sea near Japan. The naval drills focused on raising the level of mutual trust and promoting the establishment of a joint maritime patrol mechanism.
The exercise involved two Chinese navy destroyers Baotou and Jinan, two frigates Binzhou and Yancheng, one supply ship Gaoyouhu, one submarine, fixed-wing early warning aircraft, and anti-submarine patrol aircraft. Russian Navy’s missile cruiser Varyag, frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, corvettes Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Sovershenny, and supply ship Pechanga also participated in the joint exercises.
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