Chinese President Xi Jinping lauded the “strong leadership” of Russian President Vladimir Putin during his recent trip to Moscow. The two leaders referred to each other as “dear friend” while promoting a Chinese proposal to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the two nations engaged in a military standoff in eastern Ukraine. China has proposed a four-point plan to resolve the conflict, which includes a ceasefire, negotiations between the parties, a guarantee of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and economic development for the region.
During the meeting, Putin thanked Xi Jinping for his support and stated that he was “grateful for the opportunity to discuss our bilateral and international agenda.” The two leaders also discussed cooperation on energy, technology, and infrastructure projects.
The praise for Putin’s leadership is seen by some as a signal of China’s increasing alignment with Russia on the global stage, as both countries seek to challenge the dominance of the United States. However, others view the Chinese proposal as an attempt to gain favor with Russia while maintaining a neutral stance on the conflict.
