Putin-Xi Jinping Meeting: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in China just a few days after US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing is creating a new stir in global politics. Putin was given a grand welcome in the Chinese capital Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed him as his “great friend”.
This meeting of the two leaders has taken place at a time when the world is struggling with big issues like Ukraine war, Iran crisis and US-China tension. According to experts, this visit is not just a formal meeting but an attempt to give a big strategic message to America. Putin’s immediate arrival in Beijing after Trump’s recent visit to China is being considered a sign that China and Russia want to show their strong partnership to the world.
Grand welcome at Beijing Airport
Russian President Putin arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday night, where he was welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Hundreds of Chinese youth waved Russian flags at the airport. China gave special importance to this visit and described it as a step to give a new height to the strategic partnership of the two countries. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, this is Putin’s 25th visit to China.
Why is Putin’s visit important after Trump?
US President Donald Trump was on a visit to China on 14 and 15 May. During this, he discussed issues of trade, Ukraine war, Iran crisis and Indo-Pacific region with Xi Jinping. Putin’s arrival in China as soon as Trump returns is considered important in many ways.
Experts believe that China wants to show America that it is not dependent on any one country and that it has a strong strategic partner like Russia. At the same time, Russia also wants to ensure that its interests are not affected in any possible agreement between America and China.
Russia-China gave a big signal regarding the dollar
During the meeting, Putin said that trade between Russia and China has reached above $200 billion. He said that most of the trade between the two countries is now being done in Russian rubles and Chinese yuan instead of US dollars.
This step is being seen as a joint strategy of both the countries against America’s economic pressure and sanctions. Russia and China have long been trying to reduce their dependence on the dollar so that the impact of Western sanctions can be reduced.
Ukraine war and Iran crisis also discussed
Ukraine war and Iran crisis were also discussed in detail during the meeting held in Beijing. Xi Jinping, while targeting America’s foreign policy, said that the world is going through a period of chaos and instability and at such a time, China and Russia should further strengthen their strategic cooperation.
China expressed concern over Iran-America tensions and the growing crisis in West Asia. Xi Jinping said that the war should end soon so that the impact on energy supply, trade and supply chains can be reduced.
Russia’s increasing dependence on China
After the Ukraine war, Western sanctions have greatly affected Russia’s economy. In such a situation, China has emerged as Russia’s biggest economic and strategic partner. Russia is selling oil and gas to China at concessional rates, while China is providing technology and essential goods to Russia.
Both Putin and Xi Jinping have long been advocating a global order in which America alone does not dominate. Both the leaders have been talking about creating a multi-polar world order. This is the reason why this meeting is not being considered limited only to bilateral relations, but is also being seen from the perspective of global balance of power.
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