The meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Poutine, Thursday 15 September, on the occasion of the regional summit that begins in Uzbekistan is “an opportunity “ for the Russian president “to prove that he is not alone”, explains Frédéric Charillon, professor of international relations at Essec and Sciences Po, this Thursday on franceinfo. According to him, Russia “it is above all an embarrassment for Beijing”a necessary economic partner, coupled with an associate “that is losing ground”.
>> Vladimir Putin traveling to the Russian Far East to witness the military maneuvers involving China
franceinfo: What is the purpose of this summit?
Frédéric Charillon, professor of international relations: Clearly, for Vladimir Putin, this is an attempt to prove that he is not alone. This is the message he is trying to sell, even internally to his own population, because for the moment things don’t seem to be going very well for Russia. In Ukraine, the Kremlin expected something faster, more efficient and more successful. But, militarily, things are not going well. Economically, the sanctions, even if the Russian economy appears to be resisting, will cause considerable damage in the medium term. Then it comes to saying “we are not alone, no, the West has not isolated us”.
But isn’t this summit there to show support for Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine?
No, but this top is good. In fact, it is an organization that has been around for a long time. This summit is not convened for this occasion among the countries that have decided to support Moscow. It is not about that. But this remains an opportunity that Vladimir Putin can try to seize to show that he is not alone.
How do relations between China and Russia qualify, is it more a partner than an ally?
It is above all an embarrassment for Beijing. A partner, that’s for sure, but the transition to ally status is more complicated, because there was Ukraine. One can imagine that if, in fact, the Russian adventure had gone better with immediate success, it would have been different. China engaged quite strongly with a partner it supported shortly before the invasion of Ukraine, which it supported strongly and publicly. But, today, she finds herself unbound but associated with someone who is losing ground.
Does Beijing still have an interest in maintaining such strong relations with Russia?
Beijing has an interest in maintaining excellent relations with Russia because there is a very strong economic opportunity to be seized. But getting really angry with Washington is another matter. To associate fully with Vladimir Putin, to the point of breaking ties with the West, would not be a good calculation. Chinese foreign policy has always been very cautious. It is a foreign policy that does not make many mistakes, nor does it take many risks. We have rarely seen China being heavily involved in international affairs. Rather, it is a prudent policy. Today we find this caution combined with an embarrassment. I believe Beijing is waiting to see today. Only time passes and this conflict lasts.
–
