Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have met about 40 times since the Chinese leader assumed the presidency in 2012. In many ways, the camaraderie between the two has come to define diplomatic relations between Moscow and Beijing over the past decade, The Independent writes.
Xi made his first overseas visit to Moscow as president in 2013, and this latest visit comes next week after he was given an unprecedented third term as president. During that time, greetings between Xi and Putin evolved from “dear president” to “dear friend” and later to “my old friend.” Last year, just weeks before Moscow’s forces invaded Ukraine, the leaders met and announced a “borderless” partnership between their two nations.
Historically, relations between China and Russia have been fraught with mistrust and confrontation, particularly at the height of the Cold War rift in the late 1960s, but Putin and Xi have changed the dynamic. On his last visit to Moscow in 2019, Xi spoke of his “deep personal friendship” with his Russian counterpart. “Over the past six years, we have met nearly 30 times. Russia is the country I have visited the most times, and President Putin is my best friend and colleague,” Xi said. Both leaders share the goal of changing the world order and will continue to pursue it.
However, the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 clarified the nature of their relationship, and it is clear that Xi and Beijing have the upper hand. Trade between the two nations has been growing steadily for years, but will reach a record 1.28 trillion yuan (£153 billion) in 2022, according to Chinese data. That marks an increase of about 30 percent from 2021, due in part to Chinese companies snapping up oil and coal at cut prices, even as other governments shun Russian fuel as part of a sweeping sanctions regime by Western nations seeking to punish Moscow for its war.
Putin has sought to portray Western support for Ukraine as an existential threat to Russia, accusing NATO members of getting directly involved in the conflict by supplying weapons and other support to Ukraine. It is generally in tune with Xi, at least on what Beijing sees as the West’s disproportionate influence on the world, and Beijing has not yet condemned the invasion. At a time when both China and Russia face frostier relations with the US — including trade (in the case of Beijing) and security, it makes sense that China would not make the most of its relationship with Russia.
But while Putin has been backed into a corner by his invasion – he needs to hit the West, leaving his nation increasingly isolated on the world stage – it is clear that China has other options and wants to use them. Putin said in October that relations with China were at an “unprecedented level” and that Xi was his “close friend”, with the president appearing to sense that Beijing might be more uncomfortable with the situation in Ukraine.
In truth, Xi – who has become the most dominant leader China has had since Mao Zedong – clearly has more global ambitions. This month, Beijing brokered a détente between longtime Middle Eastern rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. And last month he presented a peace plan for Ukraine. The proposal is vague but underlines that China is seeking to carve out a role as a global mediator.
As for this latest meeting between Putin and Xi in Moscow, a Russian official said the two would discuss the conflict in Ukraine as well as “military-technical cooperation”. The Kremlin said “important” bilateral documents would be signed, without giving details. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Xi’s visit would strengthen economic partnerships and promote “peace”. China said it would maintain an “objective and fair stance” on the war in Ukraine and “play a constructive role in promoting peace talks.”
The goal for Putin is clear: he needs Xi – completely. The fact that the two will have an informal lunch on Monday, before more formal talks on Tuesday, shows that the Russian president wants to make clear how close the nations are. As for Xi, he seems happy to deal with Russia as long as it serves his country’s interests. More trade will always be beneficial, while increased military cooperation would also have its benefits. Moscow could improve China’s naval capabilities by giving the navy access to Russian ports in the Far East and by sharing technology. There are also reports that Xi will hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – their first contact since the Russian invasion.
The US has expressed “deep concern” that China may try to position itself as a peacemaker by promoting a ceasefire. But any cessation at this point will not lead to a just and lasting peace, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Friday. The US has also suggested that China is considering sending weapons to Russia, a charge China has tried to deny.
Against this background, don’t expect the Putin-Xi romance to end anytime soon – but it’s also clear who’s holding the reins now.
