BEIJING (AP) – Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin as he began a two-day state visit as Russia advances a new offensive in Ukraine.
Putin arrived in Beijing by plane at dawn, after which his motorcade stopped in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square. People's Liberation Army personnel stood at attention as artillery fired a multi-gun salute.
Mr. Xi warmly welcomed Mr. Putin, shaking hands with him under the entrance of the classically designed building, before entering for talks.
The talks between the two countries were expected to emphasize their commitment to an “unrestricted” relationship, which Russia signed in 2022 just before it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Russia has increased its economic dependence on China as Western sanctions cut off its access to the international trading system.
On the eve of his visit, Putin said in an interview with Chinese media that the Kremlin was ready to negotiate over the Ukraine conflict. “We are open to dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including our country,” Putin said, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Russian leader's two-day visit will be accompanied by actions by his country's military launched an offensive About 8,000 people were forced to flee their homes in northeastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region last week in the largest border incursion since the invasion began in earnest.
The two-year war has entered a critical phase for Ukraine's exhausted military, along with Moscow's efforts to further consolidate its gains in the nearby Donetsk region. waiting for new supply Anti-aircraft missiles and artillery shells from the United States.
“We have never refused negotiations,” Putin said, according to Xinhua news agency. “We seek a comprehensive, sustainable and just resolution to this conflict by peaceful means. We are open to dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations do not involve any involvement in the conflict involving our country. We need to take into account the interests of all countries.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said any negotiations must include restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity, withdrawing Russian troops, releasing all prisoners of war, bringing those responsible for the invasion to justice, and ensuring Ukraine's security. .
China claims to be neutral in the conflict, but despite President Vladimir Putin's declaration that he wants to restore century-old borders with Russia as the reason for the attack, Russia has It supports Moscow's claim that it was provoked into attacking Ukraine.
Putin blamed the West for failed negotiations in the early weeks of the war and praised China's peace plan for Ukraine, which allows Russia to consolidate its territorial gains.
“The Chinese government refrains from pursuing vested interests and the constant escalation of tensions, and proposes viable and constructive measures to minimize the negative impact of conflicts on the global economy and achieve peace,” he said. “There is,” he said.
Putin said China's 2023 proposal, rejected by Ukraine and the West, was “the basis for a political and diplomatic process that takes Russia's security concerns into account and contributes to achieving long-term and sustainable peace.” There is a possibility of building a
The Kremlin said in a statement that Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will “discuss in detail all issues related to comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation and seek new directions to further develop cooperation between the two countries” during their meeting this week. I will decide.'' Russia and China also hold detailed exchanges on the most serious international and regional issues. ”
President Putin began his fifth term in office this month.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the upper house of Russia's parliament on Tuesday, saying that Russia and China are “objectively interested in maintaining the initiative in efforts to establish a more just and democratic world order.” .
“Russia and China are not the only countries working to reform the international system and establish a multipolar world order,” he said.
“The Moscow-China duo plays an important balancing role in world affairs,” Foreign Minister Lavrov said, adding, “The Russian president's upcoming visit (to China) will strengthen our joint work.” added.
As the war enters its third year, Moscow has forged increasingly close ties with China, redirecting the bulk of its energy exports to China and buying high-tech components for Russia's military industry to avoid Western sanctions. It relies on Chinese companies for imports.
Military relations between Russia and China have also been strengthened. The two countries have held a series of joint wargames in recent years, including naval exercises and long-range bomber patrols in the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Russian and Chinese ground forces are also deployed to each other's territory for joint exercises.
While China remains a major market for the Russian military, its domestic defense industry has also expanded significantly, including the construction of aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines.
President Putin has previously said that Russia shares highly sensitive military technology with China, which has helped significantly strengthen its defense capabilities. In October 2019, he said Russia was helping China develop an early warning system to detect ballistic missile launches. The system includes ground radar and satellites owned only by Russia and the United States.
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Mr. Bourdain reported from Taipei.
