Xi leaves Russia after ‘new era’ talks
Leaders concerned by Nato’s role in Asia
Chinese leader Xi Jinping left Russia yesterday after a summit with President Vladimir Putin that was a display of unity against the West, with no apparent signal of a breakthrough to end the fighting in Ukraine.
The nations, eager to curb Western power, expressed concerns about Nato expansion in Asia and agreed to deepen a partnership which has grown closer since Mr Putin launched an offensive in Ukraine.
Mr Xi’s plane left Moscow’s Vnukovo airport after being seen off by an honour guard, Russian news agencies reported, capping a visit that was a boost for the internationally-isolated Russian leader.
Mr Putin said he was open to talks on Ukraine and praised Beijing’s 12-point position paper on the conflict, which includes a call for dialogue and respect for all countries’ territorial sovereignty.
“Many of the provisions of the peace plan put forward by China... can be taken as the basis for a peaceful settlement when Kyiv and the West will be ready for it,” Mr Putin said after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
“However, so far we have not seen such readiness on their part.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had invited China to talks, and is waiting for an answer from Beijing.
“We offered China to become a partner in the implementation of the peace formula. We passed over our formula across all channels. We invite you to dialogue. We are waiting for your answer,” Mr Zelensky told a press conference.
The United States, however, said it does not see China as capable of being an impartial mediator — Washington’s most direct criticism yet of Beijing’s aim to be a middleman in efforts to end the conflict.
Moscow and Beijing have over the past years ramped up cooperation, both driven by a desire to counterbalance US global dominance.
The Chinese leader’s Moscow visit has been viewed as a boost for Mr Putin, who is subject to an International Criminal Court warrant over accusations of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.
“I am sure that Russian-Chinese cooperation has truly unlimited possibilities and prospects,” Mr Putin said at a state dinner following the talks, where he toasted the “prosperity” of Russian and Chinese people.
He earlier gushed over the “special nature” of the relationship between the two countries in remarks broadcast on state television.
On the second day of his visit to Moscow, Mr Xi said ties with Russia were “entering a new era”.
Mr Putin called the talks “meaningful and frank” and said that Russia, which has been largely cut out of European markets because of sanctions, would be able to meet China’s “growing demand” for energy.
Energy is a key focus of Mr Xi’s visit, and Mr Putin announced the two countries had reached an agreement on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which will connect Siberia to northwest China.
In a joint statement, the two leaders took aim at the West, accusing the United States of undermining global security.
They also expressed “great concern” over Nato’s presence in Asia.