For the Chinese head of state Xi Jinping, relations with Russia will continue to be a priority in the future. He invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit China later this year during his visit to Moscow on Monday. Xi called Russia and China “great neighbours”.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang will “continue to prioritize a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia,” Xi said during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Tuesday, the second day of his state visit, according to Russian news agencies.
Expert: Xi wants weak Putin
According to the head of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, Xi wants his visit to Moscow to keep Russia in the camp of the authoritarian states. “He wants a weak Putin. He wants to support him so that he remains firmly in the Chinese camp,” said the former top German diplomat on ZDF.
Therefore, Xi will not ask Putin to withdraw troops from Ukraine, but he will not actually provide him with weapons – if only to avoid being the target of Western sanctions. “Xi will never allow Putin to use nuclear weapons,” he added. “It’s very clear who is the chef and who is the waiter.”
Zelenskyj waits for a call from Xi
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is awaiting China’s approval for a phone call with Xi Jinping. “I don’t know, we are waiting for confirmation,” Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said when asked when the talks should take place. The call is important, “both have something to say to each other,” she explained.
Source: Krone
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