Why Did Putin Come to Xi Jinping?

• 16.05.2024, 14:50

Beijing needs a weak Russia.

On the night of May 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. He will stay in China for two days.

What are the main goals of this trip? Journalists of Charter97.org spoke about this with Ukrainian diplomat and political scientist, expert of the Center for Defense Strategies Oleksandr Khara:

— Social media reacted quite actively to this trip and recalled that the Moscow princes went to get jarligs for rule from the Horde. Given the nature of relations between the modern Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, we can say that these are subordinate relations. They, of course, pretend that relations are equal and sovereignty is preserved, but after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the curtailment of cooperation with the West, Russia is becoming more and more dependent on Chinese technologies, goods, the Chinese market and the sale of energy resources.

It is a clear Chinese signal of political support for Russia, this is the first visit after the so-called elections and the "inauguration" of Putin. Naturally, they will talk about how China can help Russia continue to fight in Ukraine and confront the Western coalition.

If you look at the list of documents that were signed, in addition to the pompous joint statement, general political directions are determined. We are talking about phytosanitary control and other things related to ensuring that Russia freely supplies food and other goods to the Chinese market. Plus, even closer cooperation between the propaganda of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China. Nothing serious in the economic sphere has been signed there.

I really liked the comment of Mr. Krutsikhin, a Russian expert on energy issues, that the parties "will add efforts to the implementation of the project for the construction of a new gas pipeline from the Russian Federation to China." He appreciated that nothing is actually being done, Beijing is not very interested in this gas pipeline, and the Russians are trying to sell it somehow. Perhaps according to the “Alaska principle”: give a bribe so that someone starts buying more Russian gas.

In a joint address to the press, Putin did not mention Ukraine, and Xi Jinping stressed that, among other things, they talked about resolving the "Ukrainian crisis", as the Chinese call it. Probably, it was not really pleasant for Putin to confirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. However, he said that everyone should consider rational security interests. It means that Ukraine should not be in NATO, the Alliance should not expand, and so on.

This visit is not filled with anything more. The visit of Putin, who needs support, so that he can express his gratitude to China for its long-term assistance, and, accordingly, coordinate joint actions to counter the West.

— The day before, an article by Putin was published in the Xinhua news agency. There, he stated that he agreed with the "Chinese peace plan" and that "the West wants to divide Russia". What signals did the head of the Kremlin give with this interview?

— These are unambiguous curtsies and bows to Xi Jinping. The so-called peace plan, or rather the political position on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, which was published on the anniversary of the large-scale invasion, is an unviable 12-point plan. China has not defined Russia's actions as aggression, despite the UN General Assembly resolutions, despite the fact that Russia's actions fall under Resolution #3314 as acts of aggression.

Plus, China does not require Russia to stop aggression and liberate the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Therefore, this plan, this position, they are not viable. But Putin and Russia cannot provide any alternative. At the moment, there is only a formula for peace in Ukraine based on international law and these Chinese ideas.

Russia is not able to propose a peace plan for a simple reason — it will not comply with the norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter, because they condemn war as an instrument and do not recognize illegal annexations of territories. Therefore, Putin made a curtsy, it's about nothing. His repeated phrases that Russia has never given up on a diplomatic settlement are a reaction to the continued assistance from the West. As soon as the United States and Europe decide to help, Russia immediately starts talking about diplomacy. But its actions at the front and the militarization of the Russian economy testify to the contrary.

— It is noteworthy that before his trip, during the European tour of Xi Jinping, Putin and Lukashenka announced the beginning of nuclear exercises. Beijing has always been quite critical of nuclear escalation. Will there be any reaction from Xi Jinping to these steps?

— No, he won't react, since the exercises are exercises, and rhetoric is rhetoric, but I do not think that Xi Jinping should repeat what he has already said that such actions are not acceptable. Putin understands this perfectly well, since the use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine makes no military sense. It will be devastating for the nuclear non-proliferation system, many states in different parts of the world will think about getting these weapons.

I'm not even saying that the political consequences will be catastrophic for Putin. It is clear that Xi Jinping will not turn away from Russia, he is interested in Russia not losing. But he also does not need Russia's victory, he is interested in a weak partner. The main thing is that besides China, there is also the so-called global South, which definitely does not support the use of nuclear weapons.