China’s President Xi Jinping has embarked on a two-day visit to Moscow, Russia, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin amidst rising tensions in Europe.
This visit comes at a time when tensions between Russia and the West have escalated due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has lasted for over a year, and the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for President Putin for alleged war crimes.
Beijing has described the visit as a trip for “friendship and peace”, and Russia has stated that the leaders will discuss a “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation”. This visit also follows China’s recent proposal to end the war in Ukraine, which was received with skepticism by Western countries. The West has also previously warned China against supplying Moscow with weapons.
INTRODUCTION
China’s President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Sunday, March 19, for a two-day visit to Russia. This is Xi’s first visit to Russia since Russian troops invaded Ukraine, which has sparked tensions between Russia and the West. The visit comes just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Putin for alleged war crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine. The visit is expected to be centered around discussions on a “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation” between China and Russia.
THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT
According to Chinese officials, the purpose of President Xi’s visit to Moscow is to strengthen the partnership between China and Russia and to discuss issues of mutual concern. Chinese officials have described the visit as a trip for “friendship and peace”, to develop closer ties between the two countries.
President Xi is due to hold formal talks with President Putin on Tuesday, where they are expected to discuss issues related to trade, energy, and military cooperation.
THE CONTEXT OF THE VISIT
The visit comes at a time when tensions between Russia and the West have escalated due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The West has imposed economic sanctions on Russia, and there have been calls for increased military aid to Ukraine. The International Criminal Court also recently issued an arrest warrant for President Putin for alleged war crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine.
China’s recent proposal to end the war in Ukraine, which was received with skepticism by Western countries, has also added to the context of the visit. The proposal called for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Ukraine, and a dialogue between Ukraine and the separatists. Western countries have warned China against providing military aid to Russia, which could further escalate tensions in the region.
THE EXPECTED OUTCOME
The expected outcome of President Xi’s visit to Moscow is to strengthen the partnership between China and Russia, particularly in the areas of trade, energy, and military cooperation. The two countries are expected to sign several agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on the construction of a high-speed rail link between Moscow and Kazan.
However, the visit is unlikely to change the current geopolitical situation in the region. The West is unlikely to change its stance on economic sanctions against Russia, and there is no indication that China will provide military aid to Russia. The visit is also unlikely to have any impact on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which is still a major concern for the international community.
CONCLUSION
President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow is a significant event in the context of the current geopolitical situation in the region. The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West, and China’s recent proposal to end the war in Ukraine has added to the complexity of the situation. The visit is expected to strengthen the partnership between China and Russia, particularly in the areas of trade, energy, and military cooperation. However, the visit is unlikely to have a significant impact on the current geopolitical situation in the region or on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
