Putin to meet Xi in China this week

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Chinese language counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing this week — a uncommon worldwide go to by the Russian chief.

In the course of the October 17-18 go to to Beijing, Putin will attend a discussion board marking 10 years of the Belt and Street Initiative, China’s international infrastructure program that has helped increase its affect worldwide. 

Washington and Brussels have been eyeing with alarm the connection between China and Russia, with Beijing refusing to sentence Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, even because it has voiced help for the precept of territorial integrity. 

Russia has elevated its power exports to China because it grapples with Western sanctions imposed as a response to the invasion of Ukraine. 

EU overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell urged China throughout a three-day journey to the nation that wrapped up this weekend to make use of its affect with Russia, significantly on the U.N. Safety Council, to cease the struggle within the nation. He additionally warned Beijing that “any direct navy help to Russia … can be a severe concern for us.”

The European Union is predicted to have a summit with China earlier than the top of the yr. 

This week’s Belt and Street Initiative Discussion board takes place in opposition to the background of a darkening financial image for China, which has seen an financial slowdown, propelled partly by a property downturn. Representatives from greater than 100 nations are anticipated to attend the discussion board in Beijing, together with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

On the identical time, Protection Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public for greater than six weeks, elevating questions on his whereabouts and security.

The go to to Beijing would mark Putin’s second worldwide journey for the reason that Worldwide Felony Courtroom (ICC) issued a warrant for the Russian chief’s arrest in March over the pressured transport of youngsters to Russia from Ukraine. Putin final week attended a summit of ex-Soviet nations in Kyrgyzstan. Neither Kyrgyzstan nor China is a celebration to the ICC. 

CORRECTION: This story has been up to date to indicated that the China journey can be Putin’s second worldwide journey for the reason that ICC issued its arrest warrant in March.