After a magnificent show of unity with President Vladimir Putin against the West on Wednesday, China’s President Xi Jinping left Russia. The two autocrats then promised to cooperate to create a new global order.
During his two-day visit, Xi seldom referenced the war in Ukraine and claimed Tuesday that China had a “impartial view” on the issue. There was no indication that Xi’s attempts to act as a mediator had been successful, but he also didn’t directly endorse Putin’s conflict in the Ukraine.
Yet, as Xi departed he told Putin: “Now there are changes that haven’t happened in 100 years. When we are together, we drive these changes.”
“I agree,” Putin said, to which Xi responded: “Take care of yourself dear friend, please.”
The White House commented on the Xi-Putin summit and asked Beijing to exert pressure on Moscow to leave Ukraine’s sovereign land in order to put an end to the continent’s worst conflict since World War Two.
According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian forces launched a “massive air strike” overnight while Xi was in Moscow, firing 21 Shahed-136 drones.
Air raid sirens wailed throughout the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and in the country’s north and east as Xi was ready to depart Moscow, with rumours of drone assaults but no significant destruction.
Xi’s visit to Moscow, which the Kremlin hailed as a sign of support from its most powerful ally, included meticulously choreographed pomp and ceremony, but the performance was also characterised by a lot of demonstrative goodwill between the two leaders.
Putin and Xi called to one another as “close friends,” pledged economic cooperation, and said that relations between their nations are at their best ever.
“They (the leaders) shared the view that this relationship has gone far beyond the bilateral scope and acquired critical importance for the global landscape and the future of humanity,” said a statement released by China.
“We are working in solidarity on the formation of a more just and democratic multipolar world order, which should be based on the central role of the UN, its Security Council, international law, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” Putin said in a quote posted on the Kremlin’s website.
An earlier joint statement claimed that NATO was invading the Asia-Pacific area and that Washington was harming global security while simultaneously claiming that China and Russia’s tight relationship did not constitute a “military-political alliance.”
Regarding the Ukraine, Putin hailed Xi for a peace offer he put up last month and accused Kiev and the West of rejecting it. The West views China’s peace initiative as a ruse to buy Putin some time to reassemble his forces and strengthen his hold on the occupied territories.
The violent year-long battle, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and driven millions to flee, is not specifically addressed in China’s 12-point strategy.
With international sanctions, the West has attempted to isolate Russia, and the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest order for Putin.
The West is concerned that China, which has denied this, may arm Russia in its battle despite the fact that Beijing has not endorsed any of the actions.
The International Monetary Fund announced an early deal with Kyiv on a four-year loan package of roughly $15.6 billion to the broken country as Xi and Putin wrapped up their discussions on Tuesday.
The funds would support Ukraine, whose infrastructure and economy have been severely damaged by Russia’s year-long offensive.
Putin warned of consequences in statements made following his summit with Xi, denouncing British plans to deliver tank ammunition containing depleted uranium to Ukraine.
