Putin willing to accept mediation plan for war in Ukraine
U.S. criticizes China-Russia for “marriage of convenience”
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to Russia, had a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 21st (local time) and said, “Both China and Russia support the world’s multipolarization.” It was made clear that the two countries would cooperate on anti-American lines. President Putin also responded by saying, “We will adhere to the fundamental principle of multipolarity.”
On the 20th, the first day of President Xi’s visit to Russia, the two leaders held an informal one-on-one meeting at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow for four and a half hours with dinner and said, “Both countries share the same goal. We will work together to achieve our goals.” In particular, President Xi explicitly expressed his desire for President Putin, who will challenge again in the 2024 presidential election, to regain power. President Putin responded by saying that he was willing to accept President Xi’s proposal to mediate the war and peace in Ukraine, saying, “China maintains a fair and balanced stance on international affairs.”
On the 21st, the two leaders agreed to strengthen military and economic cooperation between the two countries through an expanded meeting attended by delegations from the two countries in the fields of foreign affairs, defense and economy.
White House National Security Council (NSC) Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby downplayed the close relationship between the two countries as an ‘arranged marriage’ and criticized, “It is clear that Russia is China’s junior partner.”
Xi Jinping’s state visit to Russia
Latecomer Putin welcomes me in advance
“We welcome China’s efforts to mediate the war in Ukraine”
習, emphasis on objective position temperature difference
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met two days in a row on the 20th and 21st, called each other ‘friends’ and exchanged good wishes about ‘long-term power’. It is interpreted as revealing their true intentions that they need each other for anti-American solidarity.
In an informal one-on-one meeting held at the Moscow Kremlin on the 20th, President Xi first mentioned to President Putin, “I know that Russia will hold a presidential election next year.” “Under your leadership, Russia has made great progress, and the Russian people will continue to support you,” he said. “I am confident that I will be elected again.” After serving as president from 2000 to 2008, Putin regained the presidency in 2012, repealing the constitution’s ban on re-election and extending his term to six years.
President Putin also said to President Xi, “Congratulations on being elected (three consecutive terms) as President of China,” and said, “It was possible because the Chinese people highly appreciated President Xi’s achievements over the past 10 years.”
President Putin then treated President Xi especially with a grand dinner. White salmon and quail from the Pechora River in northern Russia, blini with mushrooms, and sturgeon soup with pomegranate sorbet came to the table first. The main dish was venison with cherry sauce and seafood, served with Pavlova wine from Krasnodar Krai in southern Russia, and Pavlova cake, named after the legendary Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, served as dessert.
The meeting lasted for 4 hours and 30 minutes, including dinner. The two leaders sat virtually next to each other with only a small square table between them. In particular, at major diplomatic events, President Putin, who is always referred to as the “captain of tardiness,” came to the meeting room ahead of time and greeted President Xi. Russian state-run TASS news agency reported that Xi also asked President Putin to visit China as a return visit this year.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 21st, President Xi said at a meeting on the 20th, “The more the conflict escalates, the more we cannot give up our efforts for dialogue.” In response, President Putin is reported to have replied, “Russia is open to peace talks and welcomes China’s efforts.”
This is an interpretation that suggests that the two countries have reached some level of consensus on the war in Ukraine. However, some analyze that President Putin repeatedly mentioned ‘unlimited cooperation’, while President Xi emphasized ‘objective mediator’, and a subtle temperature difference was detected between the two leaders.
U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blincoln pointed out that Russia’s withdrawal is necessary for a ceasefire, not Chinese mediation, saying, “The key factor in ending the war is to maintain Ukraine’s territory and sovereignty.”
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.