Xi Jinping expected to visit Moscow to further China-Russia ties, defying impression of split over Ukraine war
- Moscow says Xi’s visit will be a ‘main event’ on the two countries’ bilateral agenda
- Russian foreign ministry describes China as ‘a friendly nation in the current circumstances’
But they do not think the expected trip will signal changes in China’s stance on the conflict.
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Vladimir Putin invites Xi Jinping to visit as Russian and Chinese leaders look to deepen ties
The announcement was made as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which was followed by Western-led sanctions, approaches its first anniversary on February 24.
“It’s crucial for President Xi to brief President [Vladimir] Putin about all of this [Blinken’s visit] so that he doesn’t get the wrong impression that the US is manufacturing another cold war-like split between their countries [China and Russia],” said Andrew Korybko, a political analyst at the Institute of Strategic Studies and Predictions at the People’s Friendship University of Russia.
He added that Beijing was under pressure from Washington to “distance itself even further from Russia than it already has”.