Putin’s Rare Admission Of Tension With China’s Xi Over Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin told Chinese leader Xi Jinping that he understood the “question and concern” of Beijing about the Ukraine invasion, recognition rarely tension between diplomatic allies.
In their first direct conversation since the war began, Putin praised “our Chinese friends’ balanced position of the Ukraine crisis” and offered to “explain in detail our position” in Ukraine. In short, television comments at the beginning of the meeting, Russian leaders also condemned what he called “provocation by the US and his satellite in the Taiwan Strait.”
Calling Putin as “old friend,” Xi said “China is willing to work with Russia, show the responsibility of the main power, and play a major role to inject stability and positive energy into the world in chaos.”
The statement is the latest indication that Xi will continue to hold material support because Putin suffers to embarrass the loss of battlefield, and oppose escalation which can further disrupt the chain of food and energy supply that now moves the global economy.
Investors have worried that China will increase support for Russia and has the potential to face US sanctions, especially after official No. 3 Asian countries, Li Zhanshu, recently told members of the Russian Parliament that the leaders in Beijing “fully understand the needs” Putin’s actions.
While China has given Russia diplomatic support since the war began, and accused the US provoked Putin in action by encouraging to expand NATO, Beijing stopped doing something concrete to help the Russian military.
Ned Price, a spokesman for the US State Department, said Putin’s statement about XI’s concerns was “striking.”It is not surprising that the PRC seems to have such concerns,” he said, referring to China with the initials formal name. “Somewhat curious that President Putin will be the person who recognizes it openly.”
At the same time, Xi’s comments showed that China still saw Russia as an important partner in its broader struggle with the US. Xi said that China would continue to support Russia for its core interests, even when there were no leaders who mentioned friendship “no restrictions” that they stated in February at the Beijing Winter Olympics only a few weeks before Putin’s invasion.
Both Russia and China faced greater pressure from the US and its allies for the war in Ukraine and increased Beijing’s military activity around Taiwan. Xi especially thanked Putin for his support for the position of China on the island, saying “No country has the right to act as a judge for Taiwan’s question.”
China has never approved the Russian invasion, and that will not sacrifice its interests by violating US sanctions,” Eurasian group analyst led by Zachary Witlin in a note. “However, Beijing remains committed to expanding economic cooperation and deepening strategic relations with Moscow as a counterweight to Western influence in the international order.”
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai cooperation organization, a group led by Beijing who was seen as an opponent of an alliance dominated by the US. XI’s presence in Central Asia marked its return to the world stage after nearly 1,000 days at home, after he became a group of 20 leaders who avoided leaving his country since the first Covid locking began in January 2020.
The tour began on Wednesday in Kazakhstan, where the 69-year-old man held talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. XI was initially expected to make its first international trip in November for the G-20 Summit in Bali, which will be attended by President Joe Biden and Putin.
Xi has appeared wearing a mask for most of his meetings on the journey of Central Asia, but not when he met Putin, who almost never appeared in public with a face covering. Most members of the delegation sitting at the large oval table are covered.
The decision of the Chinese leader to visit Central Asia first placed focus on meetings with leaders from Russia, India, Pakistan and Iran – countries that were more in harmony .
