“The intensive bilateral exchange will continue next year, I have no doubt about that. And we will find a way to meet in person,” Putin said in a video link with Xi Jinping published on the Kremlin’s website on Friday. Putin was in Beijing for the Winter Olympics earlier this year and the two last met at a summit in Uzbekistan in the fall.
The relationship between the two countries is considered good. China, unlike Western countries, has not condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine. According to the Kremlin, Xi Jinping has stated that Beijing is willing to remain a partner of Moscow in the current political situation. Putin, on the other hand, called the relations between the two states exemplary for the cooperation of great powers in the 21st century. The 70-year-old declared the strengthening of the common military and armaments policy one of the most important areas of responsibility.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has exposed Moscow’s military weaknesses. Russia has also been struggling for months with increasing material and ammunition shortages. According to US information, Moscow has already ordered arms aid from North Korea and Iran. China could provide considerably more and better equipment, but there are no signs yet that Beijing wants to get involved in the conflict.
(SDA)