Xi says he ‘prioritises’ his ‘strategic’ relationship with Russia.

Xi Jinping on Tuesday showed a “priority” in Russia to “strategic” ties between Moscow and Beijing, the two “great powers”, thus signaling his agreement with Vladimir Putin in the face of Westerners amid conflict in Ukraine.

• Read more: Putin and Xi discussed China’s peace plan

• Read more: Arrest warrant for Putin: Beijing calls on ICC to avoid ‘double standards’

On the second day of his state visit to Russia, Mr. Xi said his move was responding to “historical logic” because “we are the biggest neighboring powers and strategic partners at all levels”.

Speaking during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mikhostin, the Chinese president said Beijing would “continue to prioritize the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia,” according to Russian news agencies.

After the initial meeting on Monday, Mr. Mr. is going to meet Putin. Xi also said he invited the Russian president to visit China “when he can this year” despite the publication of the ruling. International Criminal Court against Kremlin master last week.

A coincidence of the calendar? Mr. to Moscow in full tension with the West. As Xi shows his support, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to make a surprise visit to Ukraine on Tuesday.

Mr. Kishida told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “his respect for the courage and perseverance of the Ukrainian people defending their homeland under his command, and for the solidarity and unfailing support for Ukraine from Japan and the G7.” Diplomacy.

Fumio Kishida is the only member of the group who has not been to Kiev since Russia launched its offensive against Ukraine in February 2022.

Tokyo joined Western sanctions against Russia and in February announced $5.5 billion (€5.1 billion) in new aid to Ukraine.

“Dear friend”

The conflict in Ukraine, precisely, will be the focus of discussions between MM starting at 12:00 GMT on Tuesday. After an “informal” interview on Monday, Xi and Putin showed their agreement, for example, “dear friend”.

During the first meeting, which lasted more than four hours, Mr. Putin said.

The Russian president praised his powerful Chinese guest, particularly for his “reasonable and balanced stance on international issues.”

But if China presents itself as a mediator in Ukraine, the West argues, Beijing is giving Moscow more credibility. Washington accuses Chinese officials of considering supplying arms to Russia, which they deny.

Others in the West believe that China could take inspiration from the Russian offensive in Ukraine and take control of Taiwan.

On Monday, the head of US diplomacy, Antony Blinken, said, “The world should not be fooled by any tactical decision by Russia, backed by China or any other country, to freeze the conflict (in Ukraine) on its own terms.

Three days after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin, Mr. Mr. Xi visited Russia. Blinken pointed out that the US diplomat said China did not feel “the need to hold the (Russian) president accountable for atrocities”. imposed on Ukraine.”

For its part, Kiev, wary of Chinese intentions, said Monday that Mr. He urged Xi to “use his influence in Moscow to end the war of aggression.”

Gas log

Questioned by AFP, French expert Antoine Pontas, an expert on Chinese diplomacy, believes Beijing is trying to promote “an image of stability (…) factor, especially with non-Western countries” in the Ukrainian file. “to delegitimize democratic regimes”.

In recent years, Beijing and Moscow have actually presented themselves as geopolitical counterweights to US power and its allies.

But in addition to geopolitical considerations, economic issues will be at the center of Tuesday’s discussions between MM. Putin and G.

In the face of tough Western sanctions against Russia, Mr.

In a sign of this growing economic integration, Russian gas company Gazprom announced on Tuesday that it delivered a “record” amount of gas the previous day via the cross-border “Siberian Force” gas pipeline.

According to the Kremlin, M.M. Xi and Putin are set to sign several documents on Tuesday, including a joint statement on deepening their economic ties by 2030.