Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing to strengthen ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the face of economic isolation from the West due to sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Putin relies on Xi for diplomatic coverage and financial support, especially with an upcoming arms shipment from the US to Ukraine. The leaders discussed deepening economic and military cooperation, including energy and nuclear power research. They also emphasized the use of their own currencies in trade to bypass US restrictions and retain some normalcy for Russian consumers.
Xi views Russia as a critical counterweight to the US and shares Putin’s vision of an alternative world order free from Western interference. The leaders demonstrated their strong partnership with a grand reception in Beijing and emphasized the importance of their strategic alignment. However, Xi faces growing pressure from the West to cut off support to Putin’s war effort in Ukraine, including threats of sanctions against Chinese banks and companies. This pressure has reportedly led to a decrease in trade between Russia and China, potentially affecting discussions during Putin’s visit.
The talks between Putin and Xi focused on military and space cooperation to support Russia’s military aims in Ukraine and circumvent sanctions. Putin seeks support in banking and the supply of parts rather than direct, lethal weapons, suggesting intense discussions on military-technological support. The leaders also called for greater economic cooperation, prioritizing energy, industry, agriculture, advanced technologies, infrastructure, and transportation in light of Western companies leaving the Russian market.
The visit highlighted the two countries’ efforts to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, demonstrating to the West that their interdependence can limit the impact of sanctions. Both leaders emphasized their frequent communication and control over pressing issues, showing a close relationship that has been cultivated over 40 meetings. The visit included high-ranking officials from both sides in the hopes of solidifying the economic and military cooperation between Russia and China, despite external pressures.
The leaders did not discuss the proposed natural gas pipeline from Russia to China during the visit, but both emphasized the importance of their use of rubles and renminbi for trade in circumventing US restrictions on the dollar. The leaders expressed the significance of their cooperation in maintaining stability in the international arena, despite challenges from third countries. The visit showcased their commitment to each other, with Putin also visiting Harbin, a city with a historical connection to Russia, to further reinforce the strong partnership between Russia and China.
In summary, Putin’s visit to Beijing was aimed at deepening ties with Xi and solidifying their strategic alignment in the face of pressure from the West. The leaders discussed enhancing economic and military cooperation, managing challenges from US sanctions, and emphasizing the importance of their partnership in global affairs. Despite some setbacks in trade volume, the visit showcased the resilience of the Russia-China relationship and their commitment to working together to overcome external challenges.
