The almost 13-month war in Ukraine is about to begin at a critical time. After today, President Xi Jinping China’s leaders decide to make an official visit to Russia.
This is the first visit of a Chinese leader to Russia since President Putin launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24 last year. Many nations, especially the United States And allies were watching the Chinese leader’s visit to Russia closely. The move comes just days after the International Criminal Court announced several arrests against President Putin for war crimes. And it comes on a day when allies worry China could send military equipment to help Russia fight Ukraine.
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Last night (March 20), President Xi Jinping of China arrived in Moscow. The Russian capital is complete. The Russian government has sent representatives and an army band. welcome to President Xi Jinping
This is the start of our official visit to Russia. The Chinese leader will stay in Moscow for three days from now until Wednesday, March 22.
This is President Xi Jinping’s first foreign visit. after last week the National People’s Congress has endorsed him as president for a third term, something unprecedented in modern Chinese political history.
on tonight’s schedule. President Xi Jinping will meet with President Putin informally. And official negotiations will begin tomorrow.
This was not the first meeting between the two leaders. President Xi Jinping and President Putin have met 39 times since President Xi Jinping became China’s leader 10 years ago.
However, many parties gave the greatest importance to this visit. because it happened on the day when the Ukrainian war was raging amid suspicion of China’s stance which has avoided condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for almost two years.
Although no details were revealed on the issues that the two leaders would discuss clearly. But many speculate that one of them is inevitable about the war in Ukraine.
Before Xi’s arrival, Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview: Russia is ready to provide details and clarity on Russian military special operations in Ukraine to Chinese leaders.
Many parties questioned and What is the aim of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia this time? Many analysts have assessed Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia as There are two important goals.
First, China wants to play a role and revive its image as a leading nation in mediating and ending conflicts in many regions around the world.
China has recently managed to restore diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Two nations from the Middle East’s long-standing rivalry
Back on 24 February. China has proposed a 12-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. In the plan, China stated that both sides should stop fighting and a ceasefire to open negotiations.
However, China’s peace proposals and mediator roles Questioning Ukraine’s allies Because China remains one of the few countries to reject a vote condemning Russian military special operations in Ukraine. through UN mechanisms
The second point is that China wants to show that to the United States and the Western world On the day Russia was allowed to be condemned by the international community for invading Ukraine And on the day President Putin was arrested for war crimes
These will not stop China from continuing to deepen and deepen its close ties with Russia.
Many analysts said that This is China’s move to reorganize global relations to break free from the hegemony of the United States. which is currently a superpower This was reflected in Xi Jinping’s article published hours before he arrived in Moscow.
Today, the Russian news agency RIA Novasti published an article by President Xi. Jinping named “A step forward to open a new chapter of China-Russia friendship, cooperation and common development.”
in that article Noting the development of China-Russia relations over the past 70 years, the Chinese leader said there have been several high-level cooperations. The two countries have always been neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners.
President Xi emphasized the economic relations and interests between the two countries, such as strengthening bilateral and regional economic cooperation, such as through the Belt and Road Initiative. and the Eurasian Economic Union
The Chinese leader also spoke about promoting a new type of relations between countries and entering a new world. with a sustainable relationship that is mutually beneficial
However, the meeting of the two leaders and the talks about international order in the middle of the war in Ukraine. This caused great discontent in the United States.
An interview with John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications on FOX NEWS SUNDAY, said that China and Russia are challenging international order. built by the allies together after the end of the Second World War
In addition, John Kirby also mentioned that the meeting of Chinese and Russian leaders has implications for the war in Ukraine. The discovery could lead to a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
But the US will not accept this. Because the truce was to buy time for the Russian leaders to provoke and wage a new war.
This meeting between Chinese and Russian leaders happened after last weekend the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for President Putin for his involvement in war crimes. including the abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia.
However, just one day after the ICC issued an arrest warrant, President Putin visited Mariupol. south-eastern part of Ukraine This is an area occupied by Russia since March 2022.
Yesterday, Russian state media published photos of President Putin taking a helicopter to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
Before driving the car through the city at night to keep track of what is happening in the city. After the Russian army destroyed to capture the city during March-May last year. This is the path the BBC estimates President Putin has steered.
From the map it can be seen that the Russian leader drove past several important sites during the Russian attack on the city. The Russian leader may have been driving along Cuprina Street. and turn onto Meeru Road which extends past the Mariupol Maternity and Children’s Hospital Russia launched airstrikes on March 9, 2022, before the Russian leader turned onto Metalurhiv Road. to go to the Mariupol concert hall
Before the Russian leader arrived at the concert hall It is possible that the Russian leader saw the remains of the Mariupol Theater bombed by Russia on March 16 last year. Many have questioned President Putin’s motive for this trip to Mariupol.
Some analysts think this was a show of strength and an opportunity for the Russian leadership to show Russians in the country that they are not afraid of the arrest warrants of the International Criminal Court for war crimes. for being part of the kidnapping of Ukrainian children
Pictured as the Russian leader drives or walks to visit and speak to local residents. sends a message that the leader of the Russian people can travel anywhere. Including the territory of Ukraine illegally annexed by Russia.
As for the reasons why the Russian leader chose to visit Mariupol, there are two possibilities:
First, Mariupol is the only major city in Ukraine. completely occupied by Russia Or it could be called the real victory of Russia. since the invasion of Ukraine last year
Second, the city of Mariupol is linked to child abductions. This is the main charge used by the ICC prosecutors to prosecute Putin.
The news agency AP (AP) said that the mayor of Mariupol confirmed that hundreds of children of the city were taken by the Russians. During March-May 2022, before the Russians completely captured the city.
On the issue of an arrest warrant for the Russian leader for war crimes Today, Chinese authorities also commented on this issue.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said late in the evening that the International Criminal Court should act impartially. Use your powers according to the law. and should not be treated as a double standard
Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant shows hostility towards Russia and President Putin. And Russia is following the issue closely.
With this attitude of Russia, many parties are questioning and How will an arrest warrant for the Russian leader for crimes affect President Putin? And will the Russian leader be brought to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands or not?
Mark Kirsten, Fraser University Criminology and Criminal Justice Lecturer Explain that the International Criminal Court does not have its own police force. As a result, there are no forces to arrest President Putin. And it is difficult for the Russian leader to be arrested before the court.
This expert added that The international community still has the opportunity and hope to bring President Putin to the International Criminal Court.
The key factor that will lead to reconciliation for the Russian leadership is the internal political changes that have gripped the Russian leadership. and the will of the Russian people They want the Russian leader to be held accountable for his actions, which will lead to his arrest and extradition to the International Criminal Court prosecutors.
However, President Putin’s visit to Mariupol this time Much to the dismay of high-ranking Ukrainian officials. Many people have come forward to strongly criticize the actions of the Russian leader.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhaylo Poldogak tweeted that the Russian leader’s actions were cynical to the Ukrainian people. and lack of remorse for what was done
Ukraine’s defense ministry also tweeted criticism of the Russian leader. He called the Russian leader a “thief” and said that the Russian leader must visit Mariupol at night because it is safer. and wanted to hide the disaster that came from Russia itself
