Vladimir Putin, isolated on the international stage since the war in Ukraine, will visit China on Tuesday, October 17. The Russian president is traveling there for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine to take part in the third Belt and Road Forum, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Representatives from 130 countries are expected at this summit, but the Russian president will be one of Beijing’s selected guests.
Published on: October 16, 2023 – 5:45 p.m
3 mins
This is new evidence of that Sino-Russian friendship which Beijing and Moscow describe as “borderless”. While the Russian president is also dry The Brics summit in South Africa in August instead of the G20 summit in India in September, Vladimir Putin has nothing to fear in China: he is certainly the subject of an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes… but China does not not recognize the ICC.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will greet his guest, who is considered a “pariah” in the West, with all honors. In a press release, the Kremlin announced that Vladimir Putin will meet his Chinese counterpart this Wednesday, October 18, on the sidelines of the third International Forum “New Silk Roads”, whose official name is “The Belt and Road.” A “mutually beneficial” project for China and his country, the Russian president said in an interview with Chinese television.
“Leaders will discuss in a friendly and open manner […] Urgent problems of bilateral practical cooperation and the international agenda,” said Kremlin diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov, quoted by Russian news agencies.
The latter specified that the talks between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping would initially take place in an “expanded format”, especially with other members of their respective governments, and then in a “small group” as part of a “breakfast work”. Yuri Ushakov also made it known that it was “not excluded” that the two heads of state would meet “in person” on their own.
Ahead of this visit, Russian diplomatic chief Sergei Lavrov was received by his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Monday, October 16.
The question of military cooperation
For his first trip to China since the war in Ukraine and his second abroad to Kyrgyzstan Thursday, October 12thVladimir Putin will know how to change things: the key is, Gas supplies that China needs.
The two countries should also address the issue of: a military cooperation in the face of what they call “American hegemony.” In August 2023, the two armies demonstrated this cooperation with naval maneuvers in the Pacific.
Will it also involve arms deliveries to Russia? So far, Beijing has positioned itself as a neutral country that respects its international obligations. This visit will definitely be a great opportunity for Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to challenge the West together.
(And with AFP)
Also listen to geopolitics – China-Russia, what vision of the world?