At the start of the state visit, Putin emphasized the similarities between the two countries. Moscow and Beijing have “many common tasks and goals”. Putin described the Chinese president’s first international trip to Russia in his new term as “symbolic”. Putin also confirmed that the Ukraine initiative launched by China is on the agenda. They will be treated with great respect.
On the Chinese side, Xi’s first trip to Russia in four years has been described as a “visit for peace”. Xi paid tribute to his country’s “close ties” with Russia. “We are partners in a comprehensive strategic cooperation.” Immediately upon his arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport, Xi expressed confidence that his state visit would give “new impetus” to bilateral relations. At the meeting, Xi and Putin want to herald a “new era” in bilateral relations, according to Russian sources.
After the greetings, Putin and Xi first had an informal meeting and a meal together. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, official talks between the delegations are scheduled for Tuesday. Xi came to Moscow at Putin’s invitation. Upon arrival, Xi was greeted by a military brass band and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.
IMAGO/Sergei Savostyanov China’s President Xi is back in Moscow for the first time in four years
Search for “diplomatic solution”
As Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said in preparation for the meeting, Russia attaches great importance to the informal part of the negotiations. The most important and sensitive issues must be clarified there. This is likely to affect the war against Ukraine in particular.
Until now, China has tried to present itself as a neutral party in Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Recently, China also submitted an initiative document from Ukraine. Putin confirmed in advance that he was ready “for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine”.
Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow
Chinese head of state and party leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday for a three-day state visit.
Beijing’s visit is also convenient for Putin because it allows him to show that he is not isolated internationally in the war. China has not condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine and is committed to peace talks. Before the visit, Putin highlighted the importance of relations with China. They were never as close as they are now, Putin wrote in an article for the Chinese newspaper Renmin Ribao.
Schneider (ORF) on Xi Jinping’s visit
Carola Schneider (ORF) reports from Moscow on the visit of China’s head of state and party leader, Xi Jinping, to the Kremlin. The meeting will focus on Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and whether Xi will bring movement to a peace initiative launched by China.
Reference to the 2024 elections in Russia
At the first meeting with Putin, however, Xi made people sit up and pay attention to his prediction for the upcoming 2024 elections. “I know that next year there will be presidential elections in your country,” said Xi, who then told Putin : “I am convinced that the Russian people will support you in your good intentions.” , but there is no official Putin candidacy so far. For that reason, the Kremlin later rejected Xi’s saying that Putin was running in the election.
debate
What would the end of the war in Ukraine look like?
Rumors about conversation with Zelenskyy
As previously rumored, it remains unclear whether Xi will also meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his visit to Moscow. Recently, there were rumors that Xi called Zelenskyy for the first time since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On the occasion of Xi’s state visit, Ukraine asked Russia to withdraw troops from its country. The “first and most important clause of a formula for the successful implementation of the ‘Chinese peace plan'” is “the surrender or withdrawal of Russian occupying forces from Ukrainian territory”, said Secretary of the Security and Defense Council from Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov on Twitter. Only in this way can Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity be restored.
China is looking for a mediator role
ORF correspondent Paul Krisai reports from Moscow, where Chinese party leader Xi Jinping is on a state visit to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Not an ICC contracting state
Xi’s visit comes days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an international arrest warrant for Putin. China, which is not a member of the ICC, indirectly criticized the approach. Specifically, Beijing has asked the ICC to avoid double standards.
The court must maintain “an objective and impartial stance” and “respect the immunity of heads of state from jurisdiction under international law,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a press conference on Monday. fair.
more on the subject
Putin visits occupied territories in Ukraine
The Hague court’s arrest warrant was issued on Friday for the kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia in the Ukraine war. The ICC said Putin was “personally responsible” for the “illegal deportation” of Ukrainian children to Russian territory, calling it a war crime. Moscow immediately described the arrest warrant as “senseless”. Just a day later, the Kremlin announced Putin’s visit to Russian-occupied territories.
Blinking also refers to the ICC arrest warrant
Criticism of Xi’s visit to Moscow comes from the US with reference to the ICC arrest warrant issued a few days ago. According to Chancellor Antony Blinken, the visit to Moscow that nevertheless took place indicates that China does not feel responsible for holding the Kremlin responsible for atrocities in Ukraine. Beijing prefers to offer diplomatic support to Russia.
According to Blinken, there can be no ceasefire without the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. “The world must not be misled by a tactical move by Russia, backed by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its terms,” the US Secretary of State said. Asking for a ceasefire that did not involve withdrawing Russian troops would consolidate Russian gains.
More recently mediator between Riyadh and Tehran
China is considered an ally of Russia. At the same time, Beijing has largely adhered to international sanctions against Moscow so as not to become the target of punitive measures. While Russia’s trade with the EU, US and UK fell last year, the volume of trade between Russia and China in 2022 grew by almost a third, reaching a record high of around US$190 billion.
Graphics: APA/ORF; Source: BBC
The peace initiative recently presented by Beijing was met with general disappointment in the West. In its position paper marking the anniversary of Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, China suggested a ceasefire and talks. However, the plan does not contain any concrete demands on Russia.
Beijing’s attempts to present itself as an international mediator also played a role in the Saudi-Iran deal. It later emerged that Xi had offered himself as a “bridge” between rivals. China is also questioning Washington’s longstanding role as a mediator and mentor in the Middle East.
Recently, however, reports of possible arms deliveries from China to Russia have been a topic of conversation. So far, China has denied such plans. At the same time, trade and customs data suggest that Chinese companies exported 1,000 assault rifles to Russia between June and December, as reported last week by “Politico” magazine (online edition).