Meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin begins in Beijing – DW – 05/16/2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing this Thursday (05/16/2024), as shown by state television CCTV.

The Russian leader arrived early Thursday for a two-day visit to the country that has become a key economic support for Moscow amid the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin was greeted with a welcome ceremony in which he heard a simultaneous hymn and gun salute.

Later, Putin and Xi reviewed an honor guard before beginning the closed-door meeting, according to images broadcast live on state broadcaster CGTN.

The Russian President’s visit will continue till Friday. The visit follows Putin’s fifth term in office and Xi’s recent visit to Europe, where the Chinese leader once again faced pressure from the West to persuade his Russian counterpart to end its aggressive stance in Ukraine.

“Coordination between the two countries”

Additionally, the visit came a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in Kiev an additional $2 billion to help Ukraine acquire weapons from the United States and other countries and increase the production capacity of its own military industry. Begins.

This is Putin’s second visit in less than a year, following a visit on the occasion of the third New Silk Roads Forum in October 2023, which some analysts see as a sign of growing alignment between the two countries to continue and promote their businesses. Consider it a new sign of. A new “multipolar” order.

For the Chinese president, the visit will be an opportunity to show that his affinity with Putin has not compromised his ability to maintain ties with the West, especially after Washington asked Beijing not to supply those components. Which can be used in war.

The Asian giant, which has not condemned the invasion, has denied having military ties with Russia, but called for a conference “recognized by all sides” to restart talks.

MG (AFP, EFE)