Chinese leader Xi Jinping traveled to Russia on Monday in a move that signals his growing role as an international mediator. The state visit began with an informal meeting with Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, who appeared open to discussing Beijing’s peace plan for the war in Ukraine.
Xi arrived at Vnukovo-2 airport southwest of Moscow around 0959 GMT, where he was welcomed on the red carpet by the honor guard and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Chernyshenko.
Six and a half hours later, Xi sat beside Putin in the Kremlin for a face‑to‑face exchange, followed by a dinner in which Putin treated him to sturgeon soup and fried deer with cherry sauce.
strongest ally
Xi is widely seen as Putin’s strongest ally, and the two leaders project a united front that seeks to push back against Western pressure. They have framed Western plans as efforts to contain both nuclear powers.
As Xi marks his ninth visit to Russia, he shows little interest in appearances alongside a leader who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. He has criticized double standards in global governance.
After helping restore diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Xi framed his Russia trip as a visit of friendship, cooperation, and peace in an article for the Rossíiskaya Gazeta. He said China remains impartial and committed to facilitating reconciliation and peace negotiations.
Putin has often suggested that Beijing has previously taken a fair and balanced approach to international issues, noting that the two countries pursue justice and adherence to international law in their actions.
Erdogan’s relief?
Turkey’s leader indicated careful consideration of China’s peace proposal to resolve the Ukraine crisis and suggested there would be opportunities to discuss it, underscoring the potential for future dialogue.
Xi’s mediation efforts come as Zelensky eyed a possible meeting with the Chinese president following the Moscow visit. This period has seen cautious negotiation, with both sides reluctant to commit amid the lingering influence of Turkey’s mediation in 2022.
Russia appears intent on extending control over the Donbas and pursuing changes on the ground, while China emphasizes respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity even as it advocates for legitimate, negotiated solutions.
Russia seeks lasting gains and security assurances, while China positions itself as a facilitator willing to support negotiations that acknowledge Ukraine’s sovereignty while addressing broader security concerns.
Criticism from Ukraine and the West
The National Security and Defense Council insists that Russia must withdraw its forces in line with international law and the UN Charter to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a point emphasized by Oleksiy Danilov.
Through Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, Kyiv calls on Moscow to use its influence to end the war and restore peace.
In Western capitals, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan remain skeptical about the Chinese initiative, arguing that Beijing has more work ahead to bridge gaps between Moscow and Kyiv.
Observers closely monitor the talks between Putin and Xi, anticipating an official summit and the signing of agreements that could shape the next phase of the conflict and broader regional dynamics.
Economic partners and common front
Deeper political and economic ties between Russia and China have raised concerns in Western capitals that the bilateral trade, reported at around 190 billion dollars last year, could help Moscow evade some sanctions. Washington and its allies closely watch for signs of increased Chinese military cooperation, despite Beijing’s denials.
Behind the scenes, both nations stress a shared stance against perceived acts of hegemony and oppression. China expresses a commitment to supporting an international system that favors multipolarity and a more balanced distribution of global power, while Russia emphasizes its role in advancing a multipolar world order.
Putin highlighted that Russia and China working together on the international stage reinforces core principles of global order and supports multipolarity in global relations.