Putin-Xi Meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday. The meeting comes as both countries are facing increasing international isolation, with Russia under heavy sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine and China facing growing scrutiny over its human rights record and its growing military ambitions.
Five things to know about the Putin-Xi meeting:
The meeting is a sign of the growing ties between Russia and China.
The two countries have been moving closer together in recent years, as they share a common interest in challenging the US-led global order. In February, just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin and Xi met in Beijing and declared a “no-limits” partnership.
The meeting is an opportunity for Putin to seek China’s support for the war in Ukraine.
Russia has been facing fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces and has suffered heavy casualties. China has so far refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion, but it has also stopped short of providing Russia with military assistance. Putin is likely hoping that Xi will offer him more support, either in the form of military aid or by helping Russia to evade Western sanctions.
The meeting is also an opportunity for Xi to strengthen his own position.
Xi is facing a number of challenges, including a slowing economy and growing public discontent with his government’s strict COVID-19 restrictions. By meeting with Putin, Xi can signal to both domestic and international audiences that he has the support of a powerful ally.
The meeting is likely to focus on a range of issues, including trade, energy, and security.
Russia and China already have close economic ties, and they are likely to look for ways to further expand their trade and investment cooperation. They may also discuss ways to work together to counter US sanctions and to promote their shared interests on the global stage.
The meeting is taking place at a time of heightened tensions between the West and China.
The US and its allies have been increasingly critical of China’s behavior, and they have been working to strengthen their own military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Putin-Xi meeting is likely to further exacerbate these tensions.
The outcome of the Putin-Xi meeting will be closely watched by the international community.
The meeting is a sign of the growing ties between Russia and China, and it could have a significant impact on the global balance of power.