Xi Jinping tries to stage new mediator role against the West in Russia

Xi arrived at the airport around 0959 GMT. Vnukovo-2Southwest of Moscow, where he was greeted on the red carpet by the honor guard and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Chernyshenko.

Six and a half hours later, I was sitting next to Putin in the Kremlin. “face to face” with “dear friend” and then a dinner where the Russian president entertains him with sturgeon soup and fried deer with cherry sauce.

strongest ally

Xi is currently Putin’s strongest ally, and the two face a common front against China. He announced the West’s plans to “contain” the two nuclear powers.

The leader of the Asian giant on his ninth trip to Russia doesn’t care much for the photo sitting next to a president who has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). “double standard”.

After he managed to score in the restoration Diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Xi’s visit to Russia was described by him as a “visit of friendship, cooperation and peace” in an article in the Rossíiskaya Gazeta newspaper.

“Based on the gist of what happened, China An impartial and objective stance “We are making active efforts to assist in reconciliation and peace negotiations,” Xi said.

Putin has always thought that Beijing had “previously adopted a fair and balanced position.” most pressing international problems”.

“We know that you start from the principles of justice and follow the rules. fundamental provisions of international law.” Additional.

Erdogan’s relief?

He announced that he was carefully examining the Chinese peace offer to resolve the problem.serious crisis in Ukraine “Of course we will have the opportunity to discuss it,” he stressed.

Xi’s attempt to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelensky was working on a possible meeting with the Chinese president following his Moscow visit, came at a time when neither side was willing to negotiate after Turkey’s mediation failed. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the spring of 2022.

Russia, because – at least – wants to conquer the whole Donbas and, following the annexation of Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson, forcing Ukraine to accept the West to address “new realities” on the ground and security concerns.

China refers to this last point in its proposal and says “legitimate“, but also calls for respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, something that Kiev sees as contradictions.

Criticism from Ukraine and the West

The National Security and Defense Council states, “The withdrawal or surrender of Russian occupation forces from Ukrainian territory in accordance with international law and the UN Charter in order to restore sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity is paramount.” , Oleksiy Danilov.

Through Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Using their influence on Moscow“For Russia to end the war.

In the West, neither the USA nor European Union (EU), United Kingdom or Japan They believe that the Chinese enterprise still has a long way to go.

The international community is closely monitoring the talks between Putin and Xi, who will hold an official summit this Tuesday, and that they will sign. “important deals”

Economic partners and common front

Greater political and economic convergence feared in western capitals (bilateral trade between the two countries was added last year) 190,000 million dollars, 116% more than a decade ago) could allow Russia to circumvent sanctions.

But there are also concerns Moscow could acquire. Washingtonweaponry ChineseDespite the denials from Beijing.

They are aware of how they are seen in the West. threat and challenge Russia and China, respectively, stand together against what Xi calls “acts of hegemony, despotism and oppression.”

“China is willing to firmly support an international system with Russia. UN (…) to promote multipolarity in the world and the democratization of international relations,” he said.

Putin also emphasized that the interaction of Russia and China in the international arena is “of course”. contributes to the strengthening of the fundamental principles of world order and multipolarity”.