Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday hailed Beijing’s “genuine desire” to help resolve the Ukraine crisis.
Putin is scheduled to arrive in Beijing today to meet his “dear friend” Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), seeking to win greater support from China for Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and isolated economy.
The visit, in which he is also to travel to Harbin for a trade and investment expo, is Putin’s first trip abroad since his March re-election and his second in just over six months to China.
Photo: AFP
“We commend China’s approaches to resolving the crisis in Ukraine,” Putin told Xinhua news agency in an interview in Moscow, which was also carried in English on the Kremlin Web site.
“Beijing is well aware of its root causes and global geopolitical significance,” Putin said, referring to a 12-point position paper published in February last year by China on reaching a political settlement to the crisis.
“The ideas and proposals contained in the document show the genuine desire of our Chinese friends to help stabilize the situation,” Putin said.
Days before Russia launched its full-scale military assault on Ukraine in February 2022, Beijing and Moscow declared a “no limits” partnership and have since boosted trade to record highs.
Moscow has looked to China as a crucial economic lifeline since the West hit Russia with sanctions over its military offensive.
China has benefited from cheap Russian fuel imports and access to vast natural resources.
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