Putin Admits Chinese President Xi Has “Questions And Concerns” Regarding the Ukraine War, Xi called Putin an “old friend” and declared that China was ready to cooperate with Russia.
In a rare acknowledgment of tensions between the diplomatic partners, Russian President Vladimir Putin informed Chinese President Xi Jinping that he comprehends Beijing’s “questions and concerns” regarding his invasion of Ukraine.
Putin praised “the balanced approach of our Chinese partners on the Ukraine problem” in their first face-to-face discussions since the start of the conflict and offered to “explain in detail our position.” The Russian leader also denounced “provocations by the US and its satellites in the Taiwan Strait” in brief remarks shown on television before the meeting.
China is willing,” Xi remarked, referring to Putin as an “old friend,” to work with Russia, display the responsibilities of the major powers, and play a leading role in injecting stability and positive energy to a world in chaos.”
The comments are the most recent sign that Xi will keep his distance from Putin despite his humiliating war defeats and that he opposes any escalation that may further disrupt the food and energy supply systems that are already upsetting the world economy.
Especially after China’s No. 3 official, Li Zhanshu, recently told Russian parliamentarians that Beijing’s authorities “completely understood the need” for Putin’s actions, investors had been worried that China might increase its support for Russia and could face US sanctions.
While accusing the US of inciting Putin into war by attempting to extend NATO, China has supported Russia diplomatically since the start of the conflict but has not taken any actual steps to aid the Russian military.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Putin’s remarks about Xi’s concerns were “striking.”
He referred to China by the initials of its official name, saying, “It’s not unexpected that the PRC has similar worries.” It seems odd that President Putin would make such an explicit admission.
At the same time, Xi’s remarks demonstrate that China views Russia as a crucial ally in its more significant conflict with the US. While neither leader referenced the “no boundaries” relationship they pledged in February at the Beijing Winter Olympics, only weeks before Putin’s invasion, Xi emphasized that China will continue to back Russia in its vital interests.
Because of the conflict in Ukraine and Beijing’s escalating military presence near Taiwan, Russia and China are under increasing pressure from the US and its allies. Particularly Xi thanked Putin for his support of China’s position over the island, saying “no country is entitled to act as a judge on the Taiwan question.”
According to a report by Eurasia Group analysts led by Zachary Witlin, “China has never approved of the Russian incursion, and it will not compromise its interests by disobeying US sanctions.” Beijing is still dedicated to enhancing economic cooperation and strategic relations with Moscow to counterbalance Western dominance in the international system.
The two presidents met in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, governed by Beijing and considered a rival to US-dominated alliances. After spending over 1,000 days at home, Xi is back on the global scene again. He was the sole leader of the Group of 20 to remain within his nation since the first COVID lockdown started in January 2020.
The 69-year-visit old’s got underway on Wednesday in Kazakhstan, where he spoke with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Xi was scheduled to travel abroad for the first time in November for the G-20 conference in Bali, where President Joe Biden and Putin would also be present.
Xi has worn a mask for most of the meetings he’s attended while in central Asia, but not when he saw Putin, who rarely goes out in public without a show on. Most of the delegation representatives sat at the big oval table wearing masks.
Meetings with leaders from Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran — nations more in line with Beijing’s efforts to advance its agenda — have taken center stage due to the Chinese leader’s choice to visit Central Asia first.
The Chinese president is anticipated to use the SCO meeting as a forum to further his idea of a world where Beijing can advance its interests without being constrained by US economic or military pressure. A month from now, Xi will address the twice-per-decade Communist Party conference, when he is anticipated to secure an unprecedented third term and advance his plans for a multipolar world.
After Nancy Pelosi visited the democratic island for the first time in 25 years as House Speaker, relations between China and the US over Taiwan have lately deteriorated. Beijing’s response included hitherto unseen military exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan, including the direct firing of ballistic missiles over the island.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bill on Wednesday to strengthen ties with Taiwan and provide it with more military equipment to deter a Chinese invasion. This development is likely to further strain ties.
On Thursday, Xi met with the presidents of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan, promising to forge tighter ties with the Central Asian countries before he met with Putin.
According to the official broadcaster China Central Television, the Chinese leader reminded Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan that the building of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway should begin soon. The line will lessen Beijing’s reliance on Kazakhstan and Russia for cargo transportation.
