Putin, Xi’s ‘warm’ chat gives observers chills
A “warm and friendly” phone call between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping has sparked renewed speculation over their concerningly cosy relationship.
This week, they had their second chat since the war in Ukraine began, and in an alarming sign, the Chinese President confirmed his support for Russia’s “sovereignty and security”.
The call — on Xi’s 69th birthday and described as “warm and friendly” — is seen as the clearest sign yet of China’s backing of Putin as the war in Ukraine rages on.
The Kremlin claimed Xi confirmed the “legitimacy of Russia’s actions in protecting its fundamental national interests in the face of security challenges created by external forces”.
“China is willing to mutually support Russia on core interests and matters of paramount concern, such as sovereignty and security, as well as [achieve] closer strategic co-operation,” state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi.
“From this year, facing global turbulence and transformations, Sino-Russian relations have maintained a good momentum for development.
“The economic and trade cooperation between the two countries is progressing smoothly.”
The pair said the relationship between their nations was at an “unprecedentedly high level”.
Xi did not refer to Russia’s actions in Ukraine as an invasion or war, with China so far declining to join sanctions against Russia.
Putin announced support for China on contentious issues involving Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The latest call showed a clear strengthening of ties between the two men, with Xi saying during their previous call in February that China would support Russia and Ukraine to “resolve issues through negotiations”.
But it’s just the latest in a growing list of clues that the two are drawing ever closer.
In early March, The New York Times reported that senior Chinese officials likely had some level of knowledge about Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine before Putin launched the operation in February.
Citing US and European officials and a Western intelligence report, the publication claimed topranking Chinese figures told senior Russian officials in early February not to invade Ukraine until the end of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.