Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin concluded their summit with a show of unity against the ‘hostile’ West

The Chinese president left Moscow after a three-day visit in which an energy deal was signed and Beijing’s plan for peace in Ukraine was not discussed.

After a three-day tour of Russia, Chinese President Xi Jinping left Moscow on Wednesday, seen off by an honor guard who played the national anthems of both countries.

Both countries strengthened diplomatic ties and sealed an agreement for a gigantic gas pipeline from Siberia to China, the icing on the cake of an operation designed to show the West that the alliance between Beijing and Moscow is in very good health.

The Kremlin was one of the actors who wanted to make Russia’s position clear and denounced on Wednesday the “hostile” reaction of Western countries to Xi Jinping’s visit to the country.

“As far as the countries of the West are concerned, practically on all issues this reaction carries an unfriendly and deeply hostile character,” Russian presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov told a news conference.

Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Moscow. Photo: EFE

At the same time, he added that what is important is not the reaction of the West, but “the result of the negotiations” between Xi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Peskov assured that the leaders of Russia and China spoke, in particular, of increasing energy cooperation. He also denied media reports about Beijing’s reluctance regarding the possibility of increasing imports of Russian gas.

The spokesman in turn admitted that the leaders did not discuss the peace formula in Ukraine proposed by the president of that country, Volodimir Zelenski.

“No, the Ukrainian peace plan was not discussed. An exchange of views took place on the clauses of the Chinese peace plan,” Peskov said, while clarifying that the “Zelensky plan” is a matter to be dealt with by China. and Ukraine.

The beginning of a new age”

United by their desire to counter US global dominance, China and Russia have put Cold War differences behind them and increased their cooperation in recent years.

Xi and Putin seek to show a united front against the West. Photo: AFP

On the second day of meetings in Moscow, Xi assured that relations between the two nations “enter a new era” and Putin celebrated “the unlimited possibilities and prospects” of their cooperation.

In addition to addressing the Ukrainian conflict, both leaders closed the agreement to build a gigantic pipeline that will carry gas from Siberia to northwestern China.

Putin said the negotiations were “significant and sincere” and that his country, having lost much of its European market, could meet the Asian giant’s “growing demand” for energy.

In a joint statement, the two allies expressed concern about the increasing strengthening of ties between NATO and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region” and accused the Transatlantic Alliance of “undermining regional peace and stability”.

The leaders lavished cordial gestures on each other since the start of the summit on Monday, when they referred to each other as “dear friend.”

“China is trying to recover its international presence after the pandemic,” explained Rafael Bueno, an expert on China and director of Casa Asia’s Department of Politics, Society and Education, in an interview with Radio France International (RFI).

“He seeks to demonstrate that he continues to be a determining actor in the new international politics. Both of them, both President Putin and Xi Jinping, of course, the last thing they want is a world dominated by the United States and its Western allies,” he completed.

China and Russia often vote together in the United Nations Security Council, using their veto power as permanent members to stop initiatives by Western countries.

The Asian giant tried to position itself as a neutral actor in the Ukraine conflict, but Washington considers its proposals “delay tactics” to help and give Moscow more time.

Source: AFP and RFI

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