PAVEL BYRKIN / AFP
Russian and Chinese Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping toast at the Kremlin in Moscow March 21.
INTERNATIONAL – When Xi Jinping announced he would travel to Moscow on March 20 to meet Vladimir Putin, he was initially set to play the role of mediator between Ukraine and Russia. Two days after his arrival, Wednesday March 22, the Chinese and Russian presidents appear to have abandoned the conflict somewhat in favor of a gigantic gas project and a celebration of their “special” relationship with westerners.
In fact, beyond the strategic considerations, the meeting between the two heads of state was dedicated to strengthening the economic partnership between their two countries, in particular the hydrocarbon plan. On Tuesday, they reached an agreement on the Siberian Force 2 gas pipeline project, a symbol of Moscow’s desire to redirect its economy to Asia in the face of international sanctions.
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“When operational, 50 billion cubic meters of gas” will flow through this 2,600-kilometer gas pipeline, which will connect Siberia to China’s Xinjiang (northwest) via the steppes of Mongolia, Vladimir Putin announced. However, the Russian leader gave no details on the timeline for the project, which must complete an already existing Force de Siberie gas pipeline starting in Russia’s Far East.
A joint statement with Cold War undertones
Expected long-term delivery volumes are almost as much as Nord Stream 1 (55 billion cubic meters) before it was shut down following sabotage in September 2022. Target “by 2030”: total delivery to its Chinese ally of at least 98 billion cubic meters of gas and 100 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG), promised Vladimir Putin.
The Russian leader has assured his counterpart Xi Jinping that his country can meet “China’s growing energy needs” while Russian hydrocarbons are sanctioned in the West. In their final joint statement, the two Presidents underlined their desire to “seek an even closer partnership in the energy sector”.
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In a joint statement with Cold War undertones, the two leaders also sharply attacked the West, accusing the United States of “undermining” international security to maintain its “military advantage” and expressing “concern” about the growing presence of NATO in Asia. Another echo of the Cold War, Russia and China, claimed that nuclear war should “never” happen.
The Russian president also threatened “retaliation” if London shipped depleted uranium shells to Ukraine, a British official pointed out.
A very warm Putin with Xi Jinping
He was much more cordial with his Chinese host, calling him “dear friend” and “comrade Xi”. The two leaders even toasted the “prosperity” of the Russian and Chinese people during a state dinner. “Russian-Chinese cooperation has truly unlimited possibilities and prospects,” exclaimed Vladimir Putin during the meal.
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Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow is important support for the Russian leader, who has been the target of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) since last week. Treated as an outcast by Westerners since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin can count on Beijing to break through its isolation: the Chinese leader has therefore invited him to visit China this year.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s statements were rather incomplete. The Chinese peace initiative, which advocates for peace talks, contains elements that “can serve as a basis for a peaceful settlement (of the conflict) if they are ready in the West and in Kiev,” launched Vladimir Putin. “However, we are currently not observing any such disposition on their side,” he added.
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