Putin and Xi Jinping meet in Moscow

Ahead of his state visit to Russia on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed Beijing’s growing ties with Moscow, while trying to portray China as a peacemaker in Ukraine’s war.

In an article published in Russian state media, Xi said that China and Russia have “built political mutual trust and promoted a new paradigm for major-country relations.”

“Bilateral relations are becoming more mature and flexible. They are full of new vitality and vitality, and set a good example for the development of a new paradigm for relations between major countries, featuring mutual trust, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation,” Xi wrote.

Turning to Ukraine, Xi portrayed China as a positive force for peace, crediting Beijing’s approach as “constructive in mitigating the impact of the crisis and facilitating its political resolution”.

Xi’s attempt to present China as a neutral peacemaker comes as Beijing struggles to balance its “no-go” relationship with Moscow and deteriorating relations with the West.

Last month, China’s foreign ministry issued a position paper on the Ukraine war calling for a resumption of peace talks, an end to unilateral sanctions, and reiterating Beijing’s opposition to the use of nuclear weapons, a position Xi communicated to Western leaders last year.

But Beijing’s claim to neutrality is severely undermined by its refusal to acknowledge the nature of the conflict – it has so far avoided calling it an “invasion” – and its diplomatic and economic support for Moscow.

Western officials have also expressed concern that China is considering providing lethal military aid to Russia, which Beijing has denied.

Putin’s remarks: The Russian president praised China on Sunday for “its willingness to make a significant contribution to resolving the crisis.” [ucraniana]In an article published on the Kremlin website.

The article, written for a Chinese audience and titled “Russia and China: A Partnership Bound for the Future,” celebrated the recent deepening of relations between the two countries.

The Russian leader also blamed Ukraine for the failure of peace talks and pointed to NATO.

“Unlike some countries that claim hegemony and bring discord into global harmony, Russia and China are literally and figuratively building bridges,” he said.

“I am convinced that our friendship and partnership based on the strategic choice of the peoples of the two countries will continue to grow and gain strength for the well-being and prosperity of Russia and China.”