Next week, Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Russia

 Next week, Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Russia as part of an effort to mediate a settlement in Ukraine.

 

Vladimir Putin extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will go to Russia for a state visit the following week, the Kremlin announced on Friday.

The two-day trip, which starts on Monday, coincides with Beijing's offer to mediate a settlement in Ukraine; the West has been skeptical of this offer because of China's diplomatic backing for Russia.

The Kremlin stated that the relevant themes of the future growth of comprehensive partnership relations and strategic collaboration between Russia and China would be covered during the talks.

 

It further stated that "several significant bilateral documents" would be signed.

 

Weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, in February 2022, when Putin was in Beijing for the Winter Olympics, China, and Russia forged a "no limits" alliance. Since then, the two parties have maintained their strong bonds. Since the invasion, trade between the two nations has increased dramatically, and China is Russia's top oil customer, a significant source of income for Moscow. Yet China has been attempting to mediate disputes between Russia and Ukraine in recent weeks.

 

China published a 12-point position paper on the conflict on February 24, exactly one year after Russia invaded Ukraine, calling for a pause in hostilities and negotiations between the two sides.

Beijing also made a mediation offer to Russia and Ukraine earlier this week over the Black Sea grain agreement, which is set to be renewed. In a rare phone call with his counterpart from Ukraine on Thursday, China's foreign minister also expressed Beijing's concern that the grinding conflict, which has been going on for a year, could spiral out of control and urged Moscow to engage in political negotiations.

 

China's foreign ministry claims that Beijing has maintained a consistent position throughout the issue and that all it wants is for the two parties to get down and have a conversation.

It made a push for communication and discussions and presented a peace plan for that purpose last month. Beijing has also criticized the US and other Western nations for supporting Ukraine militarily and enforcing what it claims are unilateral sanctions (on Russia).

 

This tour will be a significant demonstration of public support for Moscow at a time when it is still invading Ukraine. Beijing wants to demonstrate that this is advancing a multipolar world rather than one that is only governed by the US and China.

 

"Beijing also wants to strengthen its economic connections with Russia; since the invasion in 2022, trade between the two nations has skyrocketed. It increased by 29% to $190 billion, mostly as a result of Beijing purchasing cheap Russian gas and oil, both of which it desperately needs.

 

China is traveling there to showcase its abilities as a world leader and mediator. Xi Jinping is capitalizing on the recent success of Wang Yi, Beijing's top diplomat, brokering a peace pact between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Xi will make sure to remind everyone in the world that China can speak with both Russia and Ukraine, although the US is unable to do so.

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