Editorial | Meeting between Xi and Putin must have realistic expectations
- The Chinese president’s trip to Russia provides an opportunity for progress on de-escalating the war in Ukraine. But China cannot be expected to achieve this on its own
A visit by President Xi Jinping to Russia, to meet Vladimir Putin, is planned for the Spring. It will come at a critical time.
The first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is approaching. The war, which began shortly after the two leaders met in Beijing, has left thousands dead and millions displaced. It is a source of global instability and economic woe.
China has strenuously denied that it had advance warning of the invasion. The war has left it in a difficult position, facing pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow.
The trip will be Xi’s first to Russia since 2019. China’s close relationship with Moscow understandably raises hopes, even expectations, that the meeting will pave the way for a resolution of the conflict. But it is unrealistic to expect such a breakthrough at a time when relations have reached a delicate point.
China has adopted a balanced approach to the war. It has not condemned Russia’s actions and respects Moscow’s security concerns, including any eastern expansion of Nato. It opposes the punitive sanctions imposed on Russia by the West. But Beijing has not supplied Moscow with weapons and has repeatedly called for a peaceful negotiated settlement to the crisis.
Beijing cannot isolate Russia given its strategic importance to China. But it also cannot afford to be seen as Moscow’s accomplice in pursuing the war in Ukraine. It has adopted a neutral position. When the leaders last met, in September, Putin recognised China’s “questions and concerns” about the war.
