Chinese President Xi Jinping Visits Russia to Meet with Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday to strengthen economic ties with Russia, which he sees as a potential counterbalance to the West. Additionally, he aims to promote Beijing’s role as a mediator in the Ukrainian conflict.

Xi is the first leader to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia during its invasion of Ukraine. Russia reacted harshly to the charge, as Moscow opened a criminal case against the ICC prosecutor and judges. At the same time, Beijing defended Putin and denounced the warrant as an example of double standards.

Russia presents Xi’s trip, his first since being elected for his third term, as proof that it has a powerful ally in its opposition to the West. Putin praised Xi’s arrival in Moscow following the release of an article in China’s People’s Daily. Putin expressed his high hopes for the visit of his “good old friend.”

For Xi, the visit is a diplomatic balancing act. China has released a 12-point proposal to resolve the Ukraine crisis while simultaneously strengthening relations with Moscow. China has repeatedly denied Western allegations that it is planning to arm Russia. The country is interested in developing a closer energy partnership by increasing its imports of Russian coal, gas, and oil.

Although Russian energy became cheaper due to Western sanctions, China’s top trade partners are still the United States and the European Union. Informal talks and dinner with Putin are set to be followed by formal talks on Tuesday.

Putin and Xi signed a “no limits” partnership last year shortly before Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine to end what he said was a threat to Russia from its neighbor’s moves towards the West. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby reiterated the call for Russia’s withdrawal. Putin promised Xi to clarify Russia’s position on the issue without further elaboration.

As Russia faces increasing international pressure American intelligence has noted that Chinese officials stopped using Apple iPhones for national security reasons. Justice ministers from various nations met in London to discuss support for the ICC while, in another development in the region, several EU nations agreed to buy 155-mm shells for Ukraine.