Putin and Xi began their meeting in the Kremlin with a one-on-one meeting, which will continue over an informal lunch.
Chinese President Xi Jinping with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on March 20, 2023. (Photo: Internet)
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday to stress Beijing’s role as a potential peacemaker in the Ukraine conflict, while Russian President Vladimir Putin hoped for support against Western pressure.
Xi will be the first global leader to meet President Putin since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on Friday for allegedly deporting Ukrainian children to Russia since hostilities broke out a year ago.
Moscow said the accusation was one of several “clearly hostile manifestations,” while Beijing said it reflected double standards.
Both Presidents held an informal meeting. At the beginning of his speech, Putin praised the Asian country’s economic and political system. “China has built a very effective system of economic and national development. It’s much more efficient than other countries,” he said.
According to the Russian President, China “follows the principles of justice and the fundamental principles of international law.” He noted that he had carefully scrutinized Beijing’s peace plan for Ukraine, He explained that the document will be discussed during Xi’s visit.
“Russia is always open to the process of talks and respects the Chinese plan on Ukraine,” he stressed.
For his part, the Asian giant’s president called Putin a “dear friend”, said it was “a pleasure” to revisit the Eurasian country and stressed that he had specifically chosen Russia for his first state visit after his return. Elected to a third term March 10.
Xi assured that Beijing pays close attention to the development of relations between the two countries as it has its own “historical logic”. He stressed that China and Russia are the closest neighbors as well as “partners in comprehensive strategic cooperation,” meaning there must be “a close relationship” between the two nations.
“You always treat us positively, support us, we are sorry, we are grateful to you,” the Chinese president said, adding that both countries “have many same or similar goals for the future.”
According to Xi, Russia has made significant achievements in recent years. He stressed that as part of their international strategic cooperation, Beijing and Moscow must “on the one hand achieve the goal of ensuring justice and equality in the world, and on the other hand achieve the development of prosperity” on both sides during the process.
