TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss tensions in Europe and the “aggressive” rhetoric of the United States and NATO in a video call today, Wednesday, December 15, 2021.
These talks are taking place amid rising tensions between Russia and America plus Western Europe, with Beijing under pressure over human rights and Moscow over the buildup of war troops near the Ukrainian border.
“The situation in international affairs, especially on the European continent, is very, very tense at the moment and requires discussion between allies,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, referring to Moscow and Beijing, Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
“We are seeing very, very aggressive rhetoric on the part of NATO and the US, and this requires discussion between us and China.”
Russia has developed closer ties with China as relations with the West have deteriorated. Putin has used the partnership as a way to balance US influence while striking lucrative deals, particularly on energy. He and Xi agreed this year to extend a 20-year friendship and cooperation agreement.
Peskov said they would hold lengthy talks with a broad agenda including energy, trade and investment.
Their discussions will take place eight days after the video call between Putin and the US President Joe Biden. During the online meeting, Biden warned Putin against attacking Ukraine and Putin told him Russia needed legally binding security guarantees from the West.
REUTERS
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