Putin Meets Chinese “Dear Friend” Xi Jinping as Ukraine War Continues

Russian president Vladimir Putin and his “dear friend” Chinese leader Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold more talks on Tuesday. On Monday Kremlin hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting Chinese president.

The US government denounced Xi’s Russia visit, saying the timing just days after an international court accused Putin of war crimes indicated Beijing was providing Moscow with “diplomatic cover” to commit additional crimes.

Xi’s Russia visit is his first trip abroad since he stuck to the president’s post for an unprecedented third term earlier this month. The Chinese president is trying to portray Beijing as a potential peacemaker in the Ukraine war. China is also interested in enhancing economic ties with Russia.

Putin and Xi greeted one another as “dear friend” when they met in the Kremlin on Monday. According to the Russian state news agencies, both leaders held informal talks for nearly 4-1/2 hours. More talks are scheduled for Tuesday.

In televised comments, Putin told Xi he viewed China’s proposals for resolution of the Ukraine conflict with respect. Xi, for his part, praised Putin and predicted Russians would re-elect him next year.

China has released a proposal to solve the Ukraine crisis, which is dismissed in the West as a ploy to give Putin chance to solidify his grip on occupied land in Ukraine.

Washington has said in recent weeks it fears China might arm Russia, which Beijing has denied.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that China arming Russia could lead to World War Three and has called for Xi to speak to him.

Meanwhile, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is to reach Kyiv to meet with president Zelenskiy. Kishida has already left India and is on his way to Ukraine.