The Russian offensive war against neighboring Ukraine has now lasted more than ten months. China is one of the few countries that does not condemn Russia and Vladimir Putin for their atrocities. The reason is the interdependent relationship between the two autocratic superpowers. In February, the friendly relationship in the run-up to the Olympic Games in Beijing was further strengthened in a joint statement on the world stage.
This Friday, two days before the Russian war enters a second calendar year, the heads of state exchanged views via video. The “New York Times” emphasizes the interdependence of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
Both countries need each other for diplomatic and financial stability, both China and Russia are facing major problems. The Russians are not making as much progress as planned in their “special military operation”, the economy suffers and thousands of soldiers and civilians are killed.
In China, resistance to the handling of the Covid pandemic is growing and the autocratic approach of the Communist Party has not prevented the number of infections from rising sharply.
«Model of cooperation»
However, the ally’s support is not without risk, writes the New York Times. Xi Jinping’s approach is like dancing on a razor blade. Full support for Russia could lead to international sanctions, and if Putin is not helped at all, he risks losing an important geopolitical partner in the fight against the West.
The two heads of state did not specifically discuss tensions, Xi Jinping only acknowledging a “complicated and constantly changing international situation”, while Putin described the Sino-Russian relationship as “a model of great power cooperation in the 21st century”.
The great opponent is and remains the West, Putin remained unequivocal: “We share the same views about the causes, course and logic of the ongoing transformation of the global geopolitical landscape in the face of unprecedented pressure and provocations from the West.”
Economically, the good relationship is reflected in Russian imports. From January to September, more than a quarter of Russia’s imported goods and services came from China. In the same period last year, it was less than 15 percent, Elina Ribakova of the Institute for International Finance in Washington told the New York Times. The only foreign car brands still sold in Russia come from China. China, in turn, is becoming a major consumer of fossil fuels due to increasing European neglect.
soothing words
That Xi Jinping does not fully support the war in Russia comes to light every now and then. Speaking to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Xi Jinping expressed the hope that “all parties will exercise rational restraint”. This is different in the US, for example, where the nonpartisan Foundation for the Defense of Democracies says: “Xi is still deeply involved in Putin’s war, because China has a lot to gain geopolitically from a Russian victory and possibly even more from a Russian victory. defeat must lose.”
Pressure is growing from the West on China to persuade Putin to end the war of aggression, while Xi Jinping has told Western heads of state and government not to overestimate his influence over Russia.
As of now, the relationship between Russia and China seems intact and the interdependence still exists. Putin puts it this way: “Military and military-technical cooperation occupies a special place in our relations. It promotes the security of our countries and supports stability in key regions.”
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Soource :Watson

I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.