Russia’s President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping for his efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict at the Beijing summit, AP News reported.
Putin’s two-day state visit took place against the backdrop of an active Russian offensive in Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine. The offensive reportedly began last week.
Xi expressed hope during the summit that China would help return Europe to peace and stability. His words echoed statements made last year when he first proposed a broad peace plan outlining general principles for ending the war in Ukraine.
China hopes for the early return of Europe to peace and stability and will continue to play a constructive role toward this.
Putin stated that he would inform the Chinese leader in detail about “the situation in Ukraine.” He added that “we are grateful for the initiative of our Chinese colleagues and friends to regulate the situation.” A discussion of foreign policy is scheduled for an informal meeting later on Thursday, the president announced.
China has considerable influence as a key supporter of Russia since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022. According to AP News, Beijing continues to supply Moscow with key components needed for weapons production. Moreover, buying Russian oil and gas has helped to boost the Russian economy.
“No limits” friendly relationship
Before the speech at the Beijing summit, the two leaders signed a joint statement on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Xi Jinping declared that China and Russia would continue to adhere to the stance of non-alliance and non-confrontation.
I and President Putin agree, we should actively look for convergence points of the interests of both countries, to develop each’s advantages, and deepen integration of interests, realising each other’s achievements.
Xi also congratulated Putin on his election for a fifth term and marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations established between the former Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China. The ties were established after the Civil War in 1949.
Thursday’s Beijing summit was another reaffirmation of the “no limits” friendly relationship they signed in 2022. Since then, Russia has been increasingly orientated towards China amid European and US sanctions. Moscow has now diverted most of its energy exports to China and relies on Chinese companies to import high-tech components for Russia’s military industry.
Ukraine’s war advances
Ahead of the visit, Putin told Chinese media that the Kremlin was ready to negotiate on the conflict in Ukraine.
We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours.
After Russia’s intensified offensive, the two-year war has entered a critical stage for Ukraine’s depleted army. Following months of delays, it is awaiting new deliveries of anti-aircraft missiles and artillery shells from the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that any negotiations must include restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops, release of all prisoners, a tribunal for those responsible for the aggression, and guarantees for Ukraine’s security.
China maintains that it takes a neutral position in the conflict, but has backed Moscow’s claims that the “West” provoked the attack on Ukraine. In addition, Putin also blamed the EU and NATO for the failure of negotiations in the early weeks of the war, praising China’s peace plan.
Beijing proposes practicable and constructive steps to achieve peace by refraining from pursuing vested interests and constant escalation of tensions, minimising the negative impact of the conflict on the global economy.
Strong China-Russia ties
Russian-Chinese military ties have also strengthened. In recent years, the countries have conducted a series of joint military exercises, including naval drills and long-range bomber patrols over the Sea of Japan and East China Sea. Russian and Chinese ground forces also moved into the other country’s territory for joint exercises.
China remains a major market for Russia’s armed forces. It is also massively expanding its domestic defence industry, including building aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines.
Previously, Putin stated that Russia shared highly sensitive military technology with China, which helped significantly strengthen its defence capabilities. In October 2019, he mentioned that Russia was helping China develop an early warning system to detect ballistic missile launches. The system includes ground-based radars and satellites that only Russia and the US possess.
