Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to discuss Israel’s war against Hamas this week when Putin arrives as guest of honor at a forum in Beijing — an exceptionally rare foreign trip for the diplomatic leader. isolated.
The two met in Beijing for the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympics, confidently outlining their vision for a new international order that was no longer dominated by the United States and its democratic allies.
Now, almost two years later, and with geopolitical divisions becoming more rigid globally, the two most powerful autocrats in the world are preparing for a new meeting in the Chinese capital.
The meeting takes place under the shadow of conflict, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — launched just three weeks after the leaders’ last meeting in Beijing — and Israel’s war against Hamas, which now threatens to escalate regionally.
Both Beijing and Moscow criticized Israel’s actions in response to an attack by the radical Islamic group Hamas last week and called for a ceasefire, in the latest demonstration of the two powers’ efforts to step up their alternative leadership to that of the United States. Americans reaffirm Israel’s right to retaliate.
Heads of state, representatives and delegations from more than 140 countries are expected to participate in China’s flagship two-day diplomatic event, which begins on Tuesday (17). The forum marks 10 years since the start of Xi’s global infrastructure financing campaign, and presents the Chinese leader with an opportunity to project Beijing’s growing global ambitions.
A rare trip
Putin, who has rarely left the bloc of former Soviet nations since the start of its war, is rejected by the West and wanted by an international court for alleged war crimes. Experts say he is also unwilling to travel anywhere where he feels his personal safety cannot be absolutely guaranteed. He reportedly made his first trip outside Russian-controlled territory this year last week, with a visit to Kyrgyzstan.
But despite Putin’s changing circumstances since his last visit to Beijing, the two leaders have become increasingly aligned in presenting an alternative worldview to that offered by the West. China and Russia seek to bring more countries on board in their efforts to alter a global balance of power.
In an interview with China’s state broadcaster before the event, Putin praised Xi, calling the Chinese president “firm, calm, pragmatic and trustworthy — a true world leader” and praising his “unique approach to dealing with other countries.” The Russian president said his colleague did not demonstrate imposition or coercion and provided opportunities for others.
Putin and Xi, who often refer to their close friendship, have met 40 times in the past decade, including twice since the start of the war in Ukraine. During the Russian’s last visit to Beijing, the two released a 5,000-word joint statement declaring an “unlimited” friendship and underlining their deep alignment against the West.
Attending the forum will be a significant opportunity for Putin to “achieve international exposure and show that Russia still has a strong friend in China,” said Li Mingjiang, associate professor of international relations at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
“And for China, having a major international actor like Putin joining the summit is also politically important,” he added. Otherwise, the forum — the culminating event of Xi’s diplomatic year — is expected to include leaders from less influential developing and middle-income nations.
Video: China increases support for Russia in Ukraine War, says US
Partnership with reservations
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine tested the growing China-Russia relationship like no other event in recent history. It has put Beijing under intense pressure from Western nations due to its close ties with its northern neighbor and raising questions about whether Xi had prior knowledge of Putin’s plan.
Since then, Beijing has claimed neutrality in the conflict and has called for peace in recent months. China has stepped up its efforts to be seen as a potential peace broker, as concerns over its close ties with Russia have further damaged its relations with Europe and the United States.
But the world’s second-largest economy has also become a key escape valve for a sanctions-ridden Russia, which now depends on it for goods and energy purchases. The two countries have also deepened their interactions in a number of areas since the start of the war.
Last year, Russia and China saw record trade, which has continued to grow in 2023. The two countries have expanded security cooperation through more joint military exercises and robust official dialogue, experts say, and have continued to deepen diplomatic ties. This includes those of Putin and Xi, who earlier this year chose a visit to Moscow as his first trip abroad as a symbol of his third term as China’s president.
“China tries, rhetorically and symbolically, to put a certain distance between itself and Russia when it comes to speaking to Western audiences,” said Alex Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center think tank in Berlin.
“(But) even if it is not officially dubbed a ‘limitless partnership’, (the China-Russia relationship) has, in real terms, become more solid, robust and deeper,” he said.
Press for peace?
The Beijing-hosted forum comes as Israel signals it may launch a ground invasion of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and presents Putin with an opportunity to divert global attention from his war in Ukraine, analysts say.
Moscow is expected to present a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire, without naming Hamas. Russia’s representative at the UN compared, on Friday (13), Israel’s daily bombardment of Hamas-controlled Gaza to the brutal siege of Leningrad during World War II.
At the other end of the historical spectrum, US President Joe Biden described the Hamas attack as the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
See images of the war between Israel and Hamas
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
