Speech Xi could be decisive for Putin “Russia only negotiates if it feels threatened”: CIA director visits Kiev

It is his first major appearance after the Wagner uprising: Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in a summit meeting with other heads of state on Tuesday. This is reported by various media, including the news channel CNN.

Accordingly, the meeting is organized by a Russian-Chinese security organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and takes place annually. Unlike usual, the summit will be held online – host country India is likely to want to avoid too much support from Russia, especially as President Narendra Modi only recently met with US President Joe Biden.

This participation means a lot to Putin, because after members of the Wagner mercenary group armed themselves in the direction of Moscow last week, he is also under pressure at home: State Duma deputies are calling for tougher action against the insurgents, Western experts say rebellion as a sign of weakness.

Xi’s speech could prove decisive for Putin

Experts therefore assume that Putin wants to use the summit meeting to convince his allies that he is still pulling the strings in Russia. This show of force is important in order to continue to count on the support or at least the restraint of the heads of state present in the war against Ukraine.

China in particular plays a role in this. Shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Xi Jinping and Putin had emphasized that they were cultivating a “friendship without borders”. So far, China has supported Russia diplomatically and economically and accused NATO of provoking the conflict.

At the same time, China does not want to completely break away from Europe, so Xi’s performance at the summit is crucial. A clear commitment to Russia could strengthen Putin. But whether Xi is willing to give one in his speech on Tuesday is unclear. China is in a difficult position in this regard, Yasuhiro Matsuda, a professor at the University of Tokyo, told CNN.

The SCO was founded in 2001 by China, Russia and several former Soviet countries in Central Asia to combat terrorism and promote border security. With the aim of countering Western influences, Xi and Putin have been able to significantly expand the organization in recent years.

This should continue this year. Iran is expected to become a full member this year after signing a declaration of commitment at the summit last year. Belarus has also been invited as an observer state and could soon aim for full membership, experts say.

(t-online, fho)