Xi-Putin vow to curb the expansion of NATO in Asia
MOSCOW: Chinese and Russian presidents expressed concerns about NATO expansion and Asia.
Xi and Putin decided to curb the penetration of NATO in Asia. Both leaders held meetings in Moscow to discuss and cement their bilateral ties.
They accused the Western countries of not accepting their peace proposals to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Xi and Putin stated this to discourage Western countries’ strategy to support Ukraine with weapons and money to fight against Russia. They also voiced concern against the Western sanctions against Russia.
Putin said he was open to talks on Ukraine and praised Beijing’s 12-point position paper on the conflict, which includes a call for dialogue and respect for all countries’ territorial sovereignty.
Russian President Putin said, “Many of the provisions of the peace plan put forward by China… can be taken as the basis for a peaceful settlement when Kyiv and the West will be ready for it.”
Earlier, President of China Xi Jinping reached Russia on Monday to discuss issues pertaining to war and their mutual cooperation.
Xi’s visit to Moscow is being seen as an important development after China brokered a landmark peace deal between arch-rivals _ Saudi Arabia and Iran last week.
China has also offered to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine to end a year-long war. During a two-day trip starting on Monday, Xi and Putin will discuss options to end the conflict.
Moscow said, “During the talks, they will discuss further development of comprehensive partnership relations and strategic cooperation between Russia and China,” the Kremlin said.
“A number of important bilateral documents will be signed,” it added.
Importantly, in 2022, China and Russia signed a “no limits” partnership. This historic deal was signed when Putin visited Beijing for the opening of the Winter Olympics, before the invasion of Ukraine.
Even after war, trade between China and Russia has surged. At present, China is Russia’s biggest buyer of oil. Thus, China has emerged as a key source of revenue for Moscow.
