LAST UPDATE | 21 Mar 2023
THE LEADERS OF China and Russia hailed a “new era” in their relationship today, putting on a united front in Moscow as Vladimir Putin accused the West of rejecting Beijing’s proposals to end the Ukraine conflict.
The nations, eager to curb Western power, expressed concerns about NATO expansion in Asia and agreed to deepen a partnership which has grown closer since Putin launched an offensive in Ukraine.
Putin said he was open to talks on Ukraine and praised Beijing’s 12-point position paper on the conflict, which includes a call for dialogue and respect for all countries’ territorial sovereignty.
“Many of the provisions of the peace plan put forward by China… can be taken as the basis for a peaceful settlement when Kyiv and the West will be ready for it,” Putin said after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
“However, so far we have not seen such readiness on their part.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv had invited China to talks, and is waiting for an answer from Beijing.
“We offered China to become a partner in the implementation of the peace formula. We passed over our formula across all channels. We invite you to dialogue. We are waiting for your answer,” Zelensky told a press conference.
The United States, however, said it does not see China as capable of being an impartial mediator – Washington’s most direct criticism yet of Beijing’s aim to be a middleman in efforts to end the conflict.
Moscow and Beijing have over the past years ramped up cooperation, both driven by a desire to counterbalance US global dominance.
The Chinese leader’s Moscow visit has been viewed as a boost for Putin, who is subject to an International Criminal Court warrant over accusations of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.
“I am sure that Russian-Chinese cooperation has truly unlimited possibilities and prospects,” Putin said at a state dinner following the talks, where he toasted the “prosperity” of Russian and Chinese people.
He earlier gushed over the “special nature” of the relationship between the two countries in remarks broadcast on state television.
On the second day of his visit to Moscow, Xi said ties with Russia were “entering a new era”.
Putin called the talks “meaningful and frank” and said that Russia, which has been largely cut out of European markets because of sanctions, would be able to meet China’s “growing demand” for energy.
Energy is a key focus of Xi’s visit, and Putin announced the two countries had reached an agreement on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which will connect Siberia to northwest China.
In a joint statement, the two leaders took aim at the West, accusing the United States of undermining global security.
“The parties call on the United States to stop undermining international and regional security and global strategic stability in order to secure its unilateral military advantage,” Russia and China said in the declaration.
They also expressed “great concern” over NATO’s growing presence in Asia.
Yesterday, Xi and Putin held four and a half hours of talks, calling each other “dear friend.”
In a rare move, Putin escorted Xi to his car after the talks, and the two were seen smiling together.
During that meeting, the Russian leader said he was open to talks on Ukraine and praised Beijing’s 12-point position paper on the conflict, which includes a call for dialogue and respect for all countries’ territorial sovereignty.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg today urged Beijing to take into account Ukraine’s conditions for peace with Russia.
“It is for Ukraine to decide what are acceptable conditions for any peaceful solution,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference, pointing out that China had failed to condemn Moscow’s invasion.
“China therefore needs to start to understand Ukraine’s perspective and engage with President Zelenskyy directly if it wants to be serious about peace.”
The head of the Western military alliance said he welcomed any proposals that could lead to a “just and sustainable peace”.
He said China’s paper included some positive elements, including emphasising nuclear safety, protecting civilians and territorial integrity.
But he warned any ceasefire that does not respect Ukraine’s sovereignty “will only be a way to freeze the war and to ensure that Russia can reconstitute, regroup and reattack”.
Xi and Putin are also expected to discuss boosting economic cooperation as Russia boosts energy exports to China after being mostly shut out of European markets.
Ahead of the talks, Russian gas giant Gazprom said that supplies through the Power of Siberia pipeline to China had reached a daily record yesterday.
Xi’s three-day visit began a day after Putin travelled to Mariupol in eastern Ukraine, his first trip to territory captured from Kyiv since the start of the assault in February 2022.
China has sought to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, but Washington has said Beijing’s moves could be a “stalling tactic” to help Moscow.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Xi’s Moscow visit “suggests that China feels no responsibility to hold the president accountable for the atrocities committed to Ukraine”.
“And instead of even condemning, it would rather provide diplomatic cover for Russia to continue to commit those great crimes,” he added.
The United States has accused Beijing of mulling arms exports to Moscow, claims China has vociferously denied.
Zelenskyy has said he would welcome talks with Xi, though there has been no indication from Beijing of any such plans.
As part of Japanese premier Kishida’s visit to Kyiv, he is to offer “solidarity and support” in a meeting with Zelenskyy.
Kishida is the last Group of Seven leader to visit Ukraine and has come under increasing pressure to make the trip, as Japan hosts the grouping’s summit this May.
Japan and China are close trading partners, but Tokyo has been increasingly worried about Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the region.
Japan is part of the US-led security alliance known informally as the Quad, which also includes India and Australia, and positions itself as a bulwark against China’s military ambitions in Asia and the Pacific.
Moscow and Beijing have over the past years ramped up cooperation, both driven by a desire to counterbalance US global dominance.
While Beijing has called for an “impartial” mediation in the conflict, Western countries have argued that China’s proposals are heavy on grand principles but light on practical solutions.
The United States said last week that China’s proposals would simply consolidate “Russian conquest” and allow the Kremlin to prepare a fresh offensive.
China and Russia have often worked in lockstep at the UN Security Council, using their veto power as permanent council members to counter the West.
Russia’s assault on Ukraine has also deepened fears among Western powers that China could one day try to take control of the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing sees as part of its territory.
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