Vladimir Putin of Russia set to travel to China in May
In February 2022, Beijing and Moscow announced a ‘no limits’ partnership, just days before Russian forces invaded Ukraine.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed his intention to visit China in May, marking what is believed to be his first international trip after his re-election in March.
Putin made this announcement at a congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow without specifying the exact date or providing further details.
The 71-year-old leader is set to begin his fifth term on May 7 after winning 87 percent of the vote against three minor opponents in an election that the United States and other Western nations have criticized as a sham.
Amid Russia’s increasing economic and diplomatic isolation due to its actions in Ukraine, the country has moved closer to China, its former communist bloc rival during the Cold War era.
According to a recent U.S. assessment, China has ramped up its sales and supplies of technology and equipment to Russia, which Moscow is utilizing to manufacture weapons such as missiles, tanks, and aircraft.
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Despite allegations, Beijing has consistently denied providing military support to Russia and continues to maintain strong economic ties with Moscow.
Favoring Russia, China’s ambassador to the United Nations sided with Russia as it vetoed a resolution that aimed to reaffirm the 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons in space, criticizing the resolution as “incomplete and unbalanced.”
While not directly aiding Russia militarily, China has positioned itself as neutral in the Ukraine conflict, refraining from condemning the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory.
Beijing has criticized Western sanctions against Moscow and accused NATO and the United States of instigating the invasion.
‘No Limits’ Partnership
In February 2022, China and Russia formalized a “no limits” partnership, shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine took place.
Beijing had put forward a peace plan in February of the previous year, which was largely dismissed by Ukraine’s allies. The 12-point peace plan vaguely called for “relevant countries” to take responsibility in de-escalating the Ukraine crisis, without specifically naming any parties.
The West has consistently demanded the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory as a crucial condition for peace.
Furthermore, Beijing’s proposal condemned a “Cold War mentality,” indicating opposition to military blocs that strengthen or expand regional security, such as NATO.
Before the invasion of Ukraine, Putin stated in December 2021 that Russia would seek long-term security guarantees from the West to prevent further eastward expansion of NATO, warning of potential military escalations.
He cautioned French President Emmanuel Macron that failure to address these issues would result in no winners from such actions.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
