Two weeks after being elected for the third time as China's president, Xi Jinping will visit Russia, where he is expected, on the one hand, to strengthen his "limitless relationship with Vladimir Putin, and, on the other, to position Beijing as a leading player in the search for a way out of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.While strengthening its ties with Moscow, Beijing presents itself as a neutral actor.
The visit, as announced this Friday by the Kremlin press service and the Chinese Foreign Ministry, will take place between March 20 and 22.
"Current issues on the development of comprehensive partnership relations and strategic cooperation between Russia and China will be discussed during the talks. An exchange of views is also planned in the context of deepening Russian-China cooperation in the international arena" , says the statement of the Russian presidency.
From the Chinese capital, its Foreign Ministry said that the talks between the leaders of Russia and China will be held "on the principles of non-confrontation and not targeting third parties", insisting that relations between Beijing and Moscow do not threaten to any country.
At a press conference, his spokesman, Wang Wenbin, commented that it will be "a peace visit", that Beijing "will maintain its objective and fair position on the Ukraine crisis" and "play a constructive role in promoting peace talks". collect Eph.
"The visit will be about friendship and aims to deepen mutual trust between the two countries. The two leaders will exchange views on their pragmatic cooperation and common concerns, and will continue to promote connectivity based on the projects of the New Routes of the Seda and the Eurasian Economic Union," he added.
"This visit will help promote strategic cooperation and practical cooperation between Russia and China, create new incentives for the development of relations between the two countries," said ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.
Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow has been expected for a long time. In the context of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and isolated from Western countries due to sanctions, Putin presented him with a formal invitation last December. In a videoconference meeting, the Kremlin chief told the Chinese leader that this visit "will demonstrate to the world the strength of Russian-Chinese ties" and ventured that "it will become the main political event of the year in relations" between the two. countries.
Last Monday, the Reuters agency reported that the visit would take place next week, although the Russian leader's spokesman, Dimitri Peskov, refused to comment on the news or give exact dates. He assured that the announcement would be made by Moscow and Beijing in a coordinated manner.
Previously, The Wall Street Journal published that after the trip to Moscow, Xi Jinping could hold a videoconference meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelensky. If it occurs, it will be the first time that both have spoken since Russia began its military intervention against Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Zelensky expressed his desire to speak with the Chinese leader last month. "I intend to meet with Xi Jinping. That will be important for global security. China respects territorial integrity and must do everything possible to ensure that Russia leaves the territory of Ukraine," Zelensky said.
One year after the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine, Beijing presented a 12-point plan to resolve the conflict.
Although they do not go into specific details, which would have to be resolved through negotiations, the Chinese plan provides for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries. That includes Ukraine, a part of whose territory is under the control of Russian troops.
During Putin's visit to the Beijing Winter Olympics, weeks before Russian troops entered Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing established a "no-limits" partnership, ties the two sides have tried to strengthen in recent years.
China has not explicitly supported Moscow's intervention in Ukraine, but has opposed sanctions against Moscow, saying they "do not solve problems."
