President Vladimir Putin has made a surprising trip to Beijing as reported by Chinese state media.
Putin, who currently has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, is in China to participate in the Belt and Road forum and hold talks with President Xi Jinping.
This unexpected visit underscores the strengthening alliance between Moscow and Beijing, closely monitored by officials in Washington and Brussels amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
China has played a pivotal role in providing diplomatic and economic support to Russia, mitigating the impact of Western sanctions following the 2022 invasion.
Moreover, Putin’s presence in Beijing serves as a symbol of solidarity with Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road initiative, which has invested approximately $900 billion in various infrastructure projects since its launch in 2013.
Despite its success, the project faces challenges, including concerns about debt sustainability and the repercussions of China’s economic slowdown.
In an interview with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV before his visit, Putin expressed his strong friendship with Xi, emphasizing that they’ve met over 40 times and shared many fond memories.
This trip follows Putin’s recent visit to Kyrgyzstan, a nation with close ties to Russia, and his first foreign journey since the issuance of the ICC arrest warrant in March.
Furthermore, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, discussing issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during their Monday meeting.
The evolving China-Russia relationship and Putin’s visit to Beijing are poised to shape the geopolitical landscape further as global dynamics continue to shift.