Xi Jinping and Putin hail 'close ties' in Moscow talks – DW – 03
Dw.ComMar 20, 2023
In what both countries described as a deepening of their bilateral ties, Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Russia on Monday for a three-day visit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Xi and Russian Pres. Putin would hold informal talks on Monday before dining together — formal talks on a range of subjects, which would "inevitably" touch on the war in Ukraine, would commence the next day, Peskov said.
Upon arriving in Moscow, Xi said, "...China is ready to act in concert with Russia to firmly uphold the UN-centric international system." He added that their countries would work together to "support true multilateralism" and "promote multipolarity in the world" — echoing previous remarks from both countries in which they railed against America as a single hegemon, alleging it dictates to others in favor of its self-interest.
Coming just three days after an international arrest warrant for Putin, Xi's visit shows he has no desire to hold the Russian leader accountable for his war crimes. Despite being globally isolated, this visit will likely give Putin a political boost, allowing him to play the part of a diplomat and leader.
Xi's visit is a sign of the growing relationship between Russia and China who, together, are shaping a more multipolar world — one where the interests of the US don't come before everyone else's.
There's an 18% chance that Russia will use nuclear weapons against Ukraine before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.