Xi Jinping left Moscow on Wednesday, March 22, after a three-day state visit to his “friend” Vladimir Putin. At the end of a meeting amid great fanfare, the Sino-Russian partnership looks more lopsided than ever — and Russia, Vladimir Putin emphasized, too. “a little jealous” of Chinese prosperity.
The war in Ukraine: 4 scenarios for the continuation of the conflict
From the Russian side, the meeting came in a timely manner for President Putin, the day after the ruling of the International Criminal Court against him. From this visit, he especially hoped for the gas agreement, which he obtained. This provided for the construction of a new gas pipeline to transport Russian hydrocarbons to China, which the Europeans no longer wanted. He also hoped to get contracts for weapons, including drones and ammunition – which he did not get. Evidence that China continues to walk on eggshells: on the one hand, the support of its Russian partner, with which it is a counterweight to American power. On the other hand, avoid exposure to US sanctions by providing strategic materials.
sequel after announcement
The amazing Chinese peace plan in Ukraine
For Xi Jinping, it was about presenting himself to the non-Western world as the neutral and trusted mediator of a new world order to compete with existing international governance, which he sees as compromised by American interests.
His visit to Moscow allowed him to shed light on the Chinese peace plan for Ukraine, which was announced on February 24. The text, very vague, stresses the territorial integrity, while referring again to the two warring parties, as if their responsibility in the conflict were the same. The goal has been achieved, since Vladimir Putin endorsed the press release. We believe that many points in the peace plan proposed by China […] It can serve as the basis for a peace settlement [du conflit] »commented.
