China's supreme leader will visit Russia next week to show his support for Putin

This combination photo shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) on September 16, 2022 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and China’s President Xi Jinping on December 2, 2019 in Beijing. China says Xi will visit Russia from Monday, March 20, 2023 until Wednesday in an apparent show of support for Putin. | Sergei Bobylev, Noel Celis, pool photos via Associated Press

China’s Supreme Leader Xi Jinping is due to visit Russia next week for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The move shows an effort to strengthen “ties” between Russia and China and could have implications for the war in Ukraine. The New York Times reported.

The trip is being watched by the US, Europe and other Western countries to see if the countries declare an alliance. Three weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin visited Xi in Beijing and spoke about friendship without borders, per the times.

Did China provide aid to Russia during the war?

China has not provided arms or direct aid to Russia in its efforts to seize Ukraine, “but they have considered it.” CNN reported.

Accordingly BBCRussia said the two world leaders would talk about “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation” during the meeting.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Thursday expressed concern that the war between Ukraine and Russia is protracted and “getting out of control”. NPR reported.

Qin said China has “always taken an objective and fair stance on the Ukraine issue, is committed to promoting peace and advancing negotiations, and calls on the international community to create conditions for peace talks,” per NPR.

What will Xi and Putin do during the meetings?

On Monday the leaders have lunch and on Tuesday there are talks, per BBC.

They also plan to sign “important” bilateral documents The guard.

It appears Xi wants to support his “best friend,” as Xi has dubbed Putin in the past, but China also wants to protect its own interests after suffering difficult economic downturns during the COVID-19 pandemic, per The guard.

How will the US react to Xi’s visit to Putin?

The US will be closely monitoring the visit next week.

“We think it’s important that China has Ukraine’s perspective,” Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said CNN. “Russia’s motives are clearly nefarious. They illegally invaded and occupied Ukraine. We hope President Xi and the Chinese government can benefit from understanding the precise implications of their support for Russia.”

Source : news.yahoo.com