Putin Meets With Xi Jinping During a 2-Day Visit to China

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Tuesday for a two-day visit. The trip comes just days after US President Donald Trump left Beijing.

Trump’s visit made headlines for trade deals, but it did not lead to any clear progress on the war in Ukraine or issues with Iran. During the visit, Putin planned to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping about strengthening the partnership between Russia and China.

The Kremlin said the two leaders would discuss how to deepen their “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. Putin and Xi were also expected to talk about major international and regional issues.

After their meeting, they planned to sign a joint statement. Putin also had a separate meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss trade and economic cooperation.

The visit marks 25 years since China and Russia signed their Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness in 2001. It also comes in the same year as the founding of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional group led by China that is sometimes called an “Asian NATO.

”Putin’s trip followed Trump’s visit to China, which ended four days earlier. Trump said he had made “fantastic” trade deals, including a promise from China to buy 200 Boeing planes and more US oil and soybeans. But Beijing did not confirm any formal deal, and few details were released. Trump also spoke with Xi about Ukraine but left without any sign that China had changed its stance.

China says it is neutral on the Ukraine war. It often calls for peace talks but has not condemned Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Beijing denies giving Russia weapons or military parts, though Western countries accuse Chinese companies of helping Russia’s war effort.

Ties between Putin and Xi have grown closer in recent years. During a visit just before the war started, they said their relationship was “superior to Cold War alliances” and that their friendship had “no limits.” A recent report said China has increased support for Russia through intelligence sharing, drone supplies, and closer military and economic cooperation.

Source: RFI.fr