Chinese President Xi Jinping, who wants Beijing to play a bigger role on the international stage, could meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow as early as next week. But the visit, which the Kremlin sees as a strengthening of ties between the two countries, a no-holds-barred partnership that inspires mistrust in the West, may not be a total victory for the Russians. Is that, according to the sources of the Wall Street Journal, the Chinese leader will then consider speaking with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, for the first time since the war began.
Last month, when he received a top Chinese diplomat, Putin revealed he was expecting Xi Jinping in Moscow. But at the time it was scheduled for April or May. The trip has not yet been confirmed, but sources told Reuters it could take place as early as next week anyway, earlier than expected and at a time when the president has just been re-elected to a historic third term ahead of China.
The visit also comes after Beijing scored a major victory on the international diplomatic scene after brokering an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to resume relations – which had been suspended for seven years – and reopen embassies. An agreement that was announced by surprise on Friday after four days of negotiations and that could have consequences for the entire Middle East. The Iranians, with a Shia majority, and the Saudis, with a Sunni majority, are on opposing sides of various conflicts – such as in Yemen or Syria.
China’s intervention, which shows that it is no longer using economic means alone to prove its influence, also shows that the US is losing room for maneuver in the region.
In the case of Ukraine, China claims its neutrality in the conflict, as it has not condemned the Russian invasion or joined sanctions, and reiterated its calls for a peaceful solution. But her support for Moscow has been one of the economic lifelines for the Russians. And at a time when Beijing promised to present a “peace plan” for the conflict, the Americans said it was studying sending arms to Russian allies — something China refuses to consider.
On the day of the first anniversary of the invasion, Beijing released a 12-point document it called a “political settlement to the Ukrainian crisis”. Among other things, he calls on Moscow and Kiev to resume peace negotiations, defends respect for the sovereignty of all countries, calls for the abandonment of the Cold War mentality and calls for an end to hostilities. It reiterates its opposition to the use of nuclear weapons and calls for an end to unilateral sanctions.
The “peace plan” has been criticized by many in the West as it puts the “aggressor” and the “attacked” on the same plane. However, it was not completely rejected by the Ukrainians, with Zelensky, who was available to talk to Xi, arguing that it was a good thing for China to talk about Ukraine.
In Moscow, the Chinese president’s visit has not yet been confirmed, but Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said yesterday that relations between the two countries are important for global stability. “Bilateral relations between our countries have reached a new, unprecedented level and have become an important factor supporting global stability in the face of growing geopolitical tensions in the world,” Shoigu wrote in a telegram, according to the Tass agency. a military official. Chinese, close to Xi Jinping.
“Positive Energy for Peace”
Yesterday, at the conclusion of the National People’s Congress that confirmed his third term in office, Xi Jinping defended that China should “participate actively in the reform and construction of the global governance system” and promote “global security initiatives”.. In his view, China will intervene more in international governance “positive energy for world peace and development and creating an international environment conducive to the development of our country”.
While talking about peace, Xi Jinping also talked about the need to create a “Great Wall of Steel”, develop security areas and ensure the modernization of the military sector. “Security is the basis of development, while stability is a precondition for prosperity”said the chairman. “We must fully promote the modernization of national defense and armed forces and transform the people’s armed forces into a Great Wall of Steel that effectively protects national sovereignty, security and development interests.” added.
Source: DN
