MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for two days of closely watched talks on Monday and Tuesday.
Here are five key takeaways from the Putin-Xi summit:
The two days of talks in the Kremlin were rich in pomp and ceremony as Cheese fries and Xi hailed a “new era” in relations between the two countries. The Russian leader said bilateral cooperation “has truly unlimited possibilities and prospects” and toasted the “prosperity” of the Russian and Chinese peoples at a state dinner after the talks.
The summit was seen as a coup for internationally isolated Putin, just days after the International Criminal Court announced it had issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader for “the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.
Chinese analyst Alexander Gabuev said The Hague court’s arrest warrant “only increases” China’s influence over Russia.
“Xi Jinping cannot be shy about meeting Putin, and the verdict only puts Xi’s ‘dear friend’ in the Kremlin deeper in his pocket,” said Gabuev, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Xi called for dialogue on the conflict, while Putin hailed China’s peace initiative for Ukraine and said it could form the basis of any future settlement if Kiev and the West are ready for it. “However, so far we have not seen such preparation from them,” added the Russian leader.
The two leaders also signed a statement saying it was important to “respect the legitimate concerns of all countries”.
The statement stressed the importance of preventing the Ukrainian conflict from spiraling out of control.
“The parties call for an end to all measures that contribute to the escalation of tension and the prolongation of hostilities, in order to avoid a further deterioration of the crisis,” it read.
The statement signed by Putin and Xi says the two countries are concerned about NATO’s growing presence in Asia and accuse Washington of “undermining” global security.
“The parties call on the United States to stop undermining international and regional security and global strategic stability in order to secure its unilateral military advantage,” the two countries said.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Xi said that as permanent members of the UN Security Council, Moscow and Beijing will promote a multipolar world and contribute to food and energy security.
China-Russia relations are important for “the modern world order and the destiny of mankind”, Xi added.
Moscow and Beijing have said they will regularly conduct joint military exercises and strengthen cooperation between their armed forces.
Putin – who is seeking to redirect energy supplies from Russia to Asia due to Western sanctions – said Moscow could meet Beijing’s “growing demand” for energy resources.
He said a deal had been reached on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would deliver Russian natural gas to China via Mongolia.
Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Tuesday it had hit a daily record for gas volumes supplied to China through the existing Power of Siberia pipeline.
Russia has been hit with several rounds of unprecedented Western sanctions following Moscow’s assault on Ukraine, and Putin has said expanding economic cooperation between the two countries is a “priority” for Russia.
The two leaders signed a statement on the development of key areas of economic cooperation until 2030. Putin placed particular emphasis on cooperation in agriculture and said that Russia is ready to increase the supply of meat and grain from China.
He also said that by joining forces, the two countries could become world leaders in computing and artificial intelligence.
Putin also said Russia favors using the Chinese yuan in trade with Asia, Africa and Latin America.
“President Putin and I agreed to step up comprehensive planning at the highest level, increase trade in energy and resources,” Xi said.
Despite strong Russian interest, analysts have warned there will be limits to the relationship.
“President Xi will refrain from aligning China with Russia to the detriment of the country’s relationship with the West,” said economic consultancy Macro-Advisory.
Here are five key takeaways from the Putin-Xi summit:
The two days of talks in the Kremlin were rich in pomp and ceremony as Cheese fries and Xi hailed a “new era” in relations between the two countries. The Russian leader said bilateral cooperation “has truly unlimited possibilities and prospects” and toasted the “prosperity” of the Russian and Chinese peoples at a state dinner after the talks.
The summit was seen as a coup for internationally isolated Putin, just days after the International Criminal Court announced it had issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader for “the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.
Chinese analyst Alexander Gabuev said The Hague court’s arrest warrant “only increases” China’s influence over Russia.
“Xi Jinping cannot be shy about meeting Putin, and the verdict only puts Xi’s ‘dear friend’ in the Kremlin deeper in his pocket,” said Gabuev, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Xi called for dialogue on the conflict, while Putin hailed China’s peace initiative for Ukraine and said it could form the basis of any future settlement if Kiev and the West are ready for it. “However, so far we have not seen such preparation from them,” added the Russian leader.
The two leaders also signed a statement saying it was important to “respect the legitimate concerns of all countries”.
The statement stressed the importance of preventing the Ukrainian conflict from spiraling out of control.
“The parties call for an end to all measures that contribute to the escalation of tension and the prolongation of hostilities, in order to avoid a further deterioration of the crisis,” it read.
The statement signed by Putin and Xi says the two countries are concerned about NATO’s growing presence in Asia and accuse Washington of “undermining” global security.
“The parties call on the United States to stop undermining international and regional security and global strategic stability in order to secure its unilateral military advantage,” the two countries said.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Xi said that as permanent members of the UN Security Council, Moscow and Beijing will promote a multipolar world and contribute to food and energy security.
China-Russia relations are important for “the modern world order and the destiny of mankind”, Xi added.
Moscow and Beijing have said they will regularly conduct joint military exercises and strengthen cooperation between their armed forces.
Putin – who is seeking to redirect energy supplies from Russia to Asia due to Western sanctions – said Moscow could meet Beijing’s “growing demand” for energy resources.
He said a deal had been reached on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would deliver Russian natural gas to China via Mongolia.
Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Tuesday it had hit a daily record for gas volumes supplied to China through the existing Power of Siberia pipeline.
Russia has been hit with several rounds of unprecedented Western sanctions following Moscow’s assault on Ukraine, and Putin has said expanding economic cooperation between the two countries is a “priority” for Russia.
The two leaders signed a statement on the development of key areas of economic cooperation until 2030. Putin placed particular emphasis on cooperation in agriculture and said that Russia is ready to increase the supply of meat and grain from China.
He also said that by joining forces, the two countries could become world leaders in computing and artificial intelligence.
Putin also said Russia favors using the Chinese yuan in trade with Asia, Africa and Latin America.
“President Putin and I agreed to step up comprehensive planning at the highest level, increase trade in energy and resources,” Xi said.
Despite strong Russian interest, analysts have warned there will be limits to the relationship.
“President Xi will refrain from aligning China with Russia to the detriment of the country’s relationship with the West,” said economic consultancy Macro-Advisory.
