Xi and Putin write fan mail

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From Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin (70) and Chinese Head of State Xi Jinping (69) will meet in Moscow. Shortly before the start of the three-day visit, the two heads of state published hymns in each other’s major newspapers. In an article for Russia’s Kremlin-controlled newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Xi described Monday’s state visit as a “journey of friendship, cooperation and peace”. He looks forward to adopting “a new vision” for relations with Putin, Xi wrote in the post, which was also published by China’s official Xinhua news agency. Xi described Putin as an “old friend”.

Putin also insisted on writing a hymn. In an article for China’s “People’s Daily,” the Kremlin chief praised China’s willingness to play a “constructive role” in ending the conflict in Ukraine. Putin also stressed the importance of bilateral relations between Moscow and Beijing in his article. Russo-Chinese relations are at a “high” and better than any political and military alliances during the Cold War, Putin wrote. He therefore has “high expectations” in the talks with Xi.

Beijing major Kremlin partner

“Russia is open to a politico-diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis,” Putin wrote. However, he insisted that Kiev should recognize “new geopolitical realities” with Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and four Ukrainian regions last year. Ultimatums to Russia showed that their authors are “far removed from this reality and have no interest in seeking a solution,” the president added.

It is Xi’s first visit to Moscow in nearly four years. Beijing is an important partner of the Kremlin and has long tried to present itself as a neutral party in the conflict. But the Chinese government refuses to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has sharply criticized Washington’s support for Kiev. That is why Western leaders have accused Beijing of giving Moscow diplomatic support for the attack on Ukraine. (zis/AFP)

Source: Blick