Ukraine, the ‘fight’ against US influence or economic cooperation are some of the main moments of the important and significant visit to Russia by Chinese President Xi Jinping to talk with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Before toasting “to the prosperity and well-being of the peoples of Russia and China,” Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping today delivered remarks at the end of discussions in the Kremlin aimed at “development of Russian-Chinese relations” and “cooperation in this new age.”
Among the key moments of the Chinese leader’s state visit to Russia were Ukraine and the Chinese plan to resolve the conflict, unveiled in February, which challenges the resumption of peace talks.
“We believe that many points in the peace plan proposed by China (…) can serve as the basis for a peaceful solution [do conflito]”, stressed Vladimir Putin in connection with this issue.
However, the Russian head of state noted that he does not see the “will” of kyiv and the West to find a way out based on the Chinese plan.
Xi Jinping, who wants to impose himself as a mediator, told Putin that Beijing is looking for a “peaceful agreement”, without revealing, however, any specific path to follow in the negotiations.
The two leaders, who present themselves as a counterweight to US influence, accuse Washington of “undermining” international security to maintain its “military advantage.”
In a joint statement signed after the talks, Xi and Putin said, by way of example, that the United States seeks to deploy “anti-missile defenses” in regions of the world and “medium- and short-range” missiles in the Asia-Pacific. and Europe
In this statement, the leaders said they were “very concerned” about “the increasing strengthening of ties between NATO and the countries” of Asia-Pacific.
The Russian and Chinese militaries will conduct “regular joint patrols at sea, in the air” and “joint exercises” with the aim of “deepening mutual trust”, they added.
On the economic front, Russian and Chinese leaders have agreed to start construction on the gigantic Siberian Force 2 gas pipeline, which will connect Siberian gas fields through Mongolia to northwestern China.
Putin stressed that “50,000 million cubic meters of gas” will pass through this 2,600-kilometer pipeline, and this project is a symbol of the economic prominence for Asia sought by Moscow, after international sanctions that led to the closure of attractive Western markets.
The Russian president, however, did not present a schedule for the construction of the gas pipeline, which should complete an existing one, the Siberian Force.
Russian giant Gazprom also announced today that it broke its record for daily deliveries to China via Siberian Force on Monday.
“Trade and economic cooperation is a priority in Russia-China relations,” Putin added.
The Russian head of state assured that Moscow can increase its shipments of oil and agricultural products to China.
He also stressed that he is “prepared to create a joint working body” to develop the “Northern Sea Route” in the Arctic, easier to navigate due to melting ice and thanks to which Moscow hopes to increase its hydrocarbon exports.
Putin also stated that he was in favor of “using the yuan [moeda chinesa] in agreements between Russia and the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America”, another way of accelerating the ‘de-dollarization’ of its economy.
However, experts note that Beijing may be less enthusiastic about expanding its economic relations with Moscow without limits, due to fears of being subjected to Western sanctions.
The Russian presidency spared no expense in welcoming Chinese leader Xi Jinping on his three-day visit.
Also on Monday, Putin hosted a private seven-course dinner for Xi, which lasted four and a half hours, before Thursday’s state dinner at the former imperial palace, which served as the venue for talks between top officials from both countries.
Today, in a heavily choreographed ceremony filled with imperial grandeur, the two leaders entered the massive, chandelier-lined hall and shook hands to the sound of the Russian and Chinese national anthems.
Source: TSF
