Russian President Putin To Meet China's Xi Jinping In Beijing On Wednesday: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold discussions with Chinese leaders in Beijing this week, underscoring China's backing of Moscow amid the conflict in Ukraine. Read on to know more.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with Chinese leaders in Beijing this week, highlighting China's support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine, news agency AP reported.
The two countries have formed an informal alliance against the US and other democratic nations, which has been complicated by the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to the report. China has attempted to balance its ties with Israel with its economic ties with Iran and Syria, both of which are strongly supported by Russia, it said.
Putin's visit also demonstrates "support for Chinese President Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road Initiative", which aims to build infrastructure and expand China's global influence, the report said.
Putin praised the massive but unconnected BRI projects in an interview with Chinese state media.
"Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the People's Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise, we just see a desire for cooperation," he said in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin on Monday, as reported by AP.
The Russian president will be among the most prominent guests at a gathering commemorating the tenth anniversary of Xi's announcement of the BRI policy, which has saddled countries like Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debt after they signed contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports, and other public works that they could not otherwise afford, the report said.
Although Putin's visit has not been officially confirmed, Chinese officials believe he will arrive late Monday, according to the report.
According to the report, when asked about a visit to China by reporters on Friday, Putin said it would include talks on Belt and Road-related projects, which he wants to link with efforts by an economic alliance of ex-Soviet Union nations, mostly in Central Asia, to "achieve common development goals." He also downplayed China's economic influence in a region that Russia has long regarded as its backyard and where it has worked to maintain political and military clout.
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