A Meeting of Praise and Criticism
Before his visit to Beijing, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an extensive interview to the Chinese state media Xinhua, in which he described his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as a ‘dialogue between old friends’. In his remarks, Putin praised China for its efforts to ‘resolve the crisis in Ukraine’, although he regretted the lack of support from Ukraine and its Western allies for these initiatives, pointing out their reluctance to engage in an equal and honest dialogue based on mutual respect and consideration of the interests of both parties.
The Conflict in Ukraine and the Relationship between Russia and China
Despite Putin’s words, it is important to remember that the war in Ukraine began with the Russian invasion in February 2022, a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. China has provided support to Russia following sanctions imposed by the West, becoming one of the main importers of Russian oil and gas. This association has strengthened trade between both countries.
A Strategic Friendship
The friendship between Putin and Xi was forged in 2022 with the aim of countering the global influence of the United States. Despite the Joe Biden administration’s attempts to isolate Russia, the relationship between China and Russia has continued to strengthen. The imposition of tariffs by the United States on Chinese imports has led to greater cooperation between Xi and Putin, who seek to circumvent American restrictions.
Future perspectives
The meeting between Xi and Putin has been highlighted by the BBC, highlighting the search for ways to circumvent trade restrictions imposed by the United States. Although Xi has attempted to present himself as a mediator in the conflict, his meeting with Putin does not appear to indicate significant changes in the short term. The future of this strategic friendship between China and Russia remains a topic of interest and speculation.
