Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Xi plan to meet in Moscow on March 20-22 during the Chinese leader’s state visit to Russia.
Also read: China is not yet ready to arm Russia – Kuleba
The Kremlin announced it would sign “bilateral documents” and discuss “topical issues” during the meeting with the Chinese leader, while China’s foreign ministry said Xi’s visit to Moscow will focus on “promoting peace.”
Meanwhile, “Chinese companies have reportedly sold guns, drone parts and equipment to Russian facilities that could be used for military purposes, and Western intelligence agencies have said that the Chinese leadership is considering supplying lethal equipment to Russia,” ISW wrote.
According to ISW analysts, Xi is expected to discuss with Putin and Russian officials possible strategies to circumvent Western sanctions that would allow Chinese equipment to be sold and shipped to Russia.
Also read: China shipped rifles and body armor to Russia in 2022, Politico reports
Earlier, ISW analysts concluded that during a visit to Beijing on March 1, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko and Xi signed a package of 16 agreements that could make it easier to circumvent Russian sanctions by transporting Chinese products through Belarus.
“Xi also likely aims to encourage Chinese efforts aimed at positioning China as an impartial third-party mediator for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine,” ISW analysts noted.
Also read: ISW reveals China’s important role in supporting Russia’s military industry
China released a sweeping 12-point peace plan on the anniversary of the Russian Federation’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. The plan includes a proposal for a ceasefire, the lifting of sanctions and the resumption of negotiations.
However, “it remains unclear what more definitive Chinese proposals for a negotiated solution to the war would include,” ISW wrote.
analysts have suggested that Xi may seek to use his recent success in reconciling diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia to potentially mediate in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The meeting with Xi will be Putin’s first with a major world leader since the International Criminal Court issued a war crimes warrant against him on March 17.
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Source : news.yahoo.com