The Russian president welcomed the re-election, for a third term, of his Chinese counterpart on Friday and praised “the strengthening” of bilateral cooperation.
“Russia highly appreciates your personal contribution to strengthening relations between our countries. I am sure that, acting together, we will ensure the development of fruitful Russian-Chinese cooperation in various fields,” Vladimir Putin said in a message released by the Kremlin.
“We will continue to coordinate our common work on the most important issues on the regional and international agenda,” he added.
The re-election of Chinese President Xi Jinping “illustrates the recognition of merits as head of state, as well as support for the policy of further social and economic development in China and the protection of Chinese interests on the international stage.” , said. .
Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine last year, Russia has sought to strengthen relations with China, as both countries are experiencing a period of high tension with the United States.
Beijing has not explicitly condemned or supported the Russian offensive in Ukraine, despite calling for a resolution to the conflict.
A year after the start of the Russian operation on Ukrainian soil, Beijing released a 12-point document, in which it calls on Moscow and kyiv to hold peace talks.
The plan, released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, also called for an end to Western sanctions against Russia, measures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, and actions to guarantee the export of cereals. after supply disruptions caused prices to rise around the world.
The first point stressed the importance of “respecting the sovereignty of all countries”, referring to Ukraine. “Universally recognized international law, including the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, must be strictly observed,” according to the proposal released by Chinese diplomacy.
Although China seeks to assert itself as a mediator in this conflict, Russia’s position as an ally disqualifies these efforts from the perspective of Westerners, who support Ukraine.
China, recently accused by the United States of planning arms supplies to Russia, has staunchly denied the accusations, has regularly called on Europeans to take Russia’s NATO fears into account, and has seen a partnership with Moscow as essential to oppose the liberal democratic order. , led by the United States.
China has said it is neutral in the conflict but has an “unlimited” relationship with Russia and has refused to criticize the invasion of Ukraine. Beijing accused the West of provoking the conflict and “fed the flames” by supplying Ukraine with defensive weapons.
The Chinese government has called for an end to the “Cold War mentality,” a term Beijing often uses to criticize US foreign policy.
Xi Jinping had previously expressed “questions and concerns” about the conflict during a meeting with Putin and openly opposed the use and threat of nuclear power after his Russian counterpart suggested the use of atomic weapons in Ukraine.
Source: TSF
