On Wednesday, Xi Jinping returned to Beijing from Moscow following a three-day state go to on the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Whereas the pair have met dozens of instances previously decade, this week’s talks have drawn unprecedented world consideration. Xi’s first go to to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 got here mere days after the Worldwide Legal Courtroom issued an arrest warrant for Putin on allegations of struggle crimes. For a globally remoted Moscow, Beijing’s help has been vital. Battered by sanctions and frozen belongings, Russia’s economic system has been bolstered by China—which now imports extra oil from there than wherever else. Some U.S. authorities officers have estimated China is spending billions to amplify Russian propaganda justifying the invasion. The times of talks resulted in a prolonged joint assertion, which highlights China’s “willingness to play an lively position in resolving” the struggle and lays the blame firmly at NATO’s toes. It additionally asserts broader alignment on points starting from Taiwan to preventing “coloration revolutions” to technological partnership as a part of a “new period” of cooperation. How has a lot modified throughout this assembly and what does it imply for the Russia-China relationship going ahead? —The Editors
