Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Kremlin on Monday, with the Chinese leader touting close ties and strategic visions shared by China and Russia, on the first day of a state visit. The visit has been framed by Beihing as a peace-making project despite deep skepticism in Kyiv and the across West.
During the first visit from the Chinese leader since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Xi called Putin his ‘dear friend’ and praised his Russian counterpart in turn, saying the country’s development had ‘significantly improved’. The two major powers have described Mr. Xi’s three-day trip as an opportunity to deepen their ‘no-limits friendship’. His visit also gave a political lift to Mr. Putin just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Kremlin leader on war crimes charges related to Ukraine.
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They pair hands before sitting down and making brief statements about the state of their meeting, calling each other dear friends and exchanging compliments. Mr. Putin voiced hope for building even stronger ties with Mr. Xi. he welcomed China’s proposals for a political settlement in Ukraine and noted Russia is open to talks. Putin said that they have discussed all the issues, including the initiative that they highly respect.
Their cooperation in the international arena undoubtedly helps strengthen the basic principles of the global order and multipolarity. Mr. Xi Jinping said that they hope that the strategic partnership between China and Russia will on the other hand uphold international fairness and justice and on the other hand promote the common prosperity development of the countries. Mr. Putin also specifically said the meeting sends a message to Washington that the two countries are not prepared to weaken each other.
