Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day state visit to China, showcasing solidarity between the authoritarian allies as Moscow continues its offensive in Ukraine. Putin was greeted by an honor guard from the People’s Liberation Army as he disembarked from his plane at dawn. A brigade of military police on motorcycles escorted his motorcade into the city, where meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials are expected to reaffirm their commitment to the comprehensive partnership established in 2022.
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has increasingly relied on China for economic support amid Western sanctions. Putin expressed readiness to negotiate on the Ukraine conflict, stressing the importance of considering the interests of all involved parties, including Russia.
Amidst Russia’s recent offensive in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, nearly 8,000 people have been displaced, intensifying the urgency for Ukraine’s military to receive support, including anti-aircraft missiles and artillery shells from the United States.
While China maintains a neutral stance publicly, it has supported Russia’s narrative that Western provocation triggered the conflict. Putin praised China’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine, which aims to address Russia’s security concerns while promoting global stability.
During Putin’s visit, discussions with Xi Jinping will cover various aspects of the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China, as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern.
The visit underscores the joint efforts of China and Russia to challenge the Western democratic order in favor of a more authoritarian model. Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, emphasized the shared objective of reforming the international system to establish a multipolar global order, with Russia and China playing a central role.
As the conflict in Ukraine persists, Moscow has deepened its ties with Beijing, particularly in energy and military cooperation. Joint military exercises and technology sharing have strengthened the military partnership between the two nations, with Russia assisting China in developing advanced defense capabilities, including an early warning system for ballistic missile detection.
