Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on May 20 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Moscow tried to demonstrate the strength of its ties with China after the meeting, but a breakthrough failed to materialize, according to historian and diplomat Roman Bessmertny, as reported by 24tv.
According to Bessmertny, Beijing sent an important signal after the talks: China is interested neither in a defeat nor in a victory for Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine. The key question for the Kremlin — the expansion of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline and an increase in energy exports to China — remained unresolved. Nothing has changed on this point, the diplomat said.
Putin had arrived in Beijing on May 19 for a two-day visit. Ahead of the trip, the Kremlin had announced the signing of around 40 documents. The talks covered bilateral cooperation, the international situation, energy policy, the war against Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East. In the joint statement after the negotiations, Russia and China mentioned the war against Ukraine and spoke of eliminating the so-called “root causes of the Ukrainian crisis.” Beijing again avoided calling the Russian aggression by its name and repeated familiar formulations that both sides can interpret to their advantage.
Source: 24tv.ua
