Putin and Xi support each other – the nightly update without photos

Putin and Xi sign strategic deal

At a state ceremony at the Kremlin, Putin and Xi Jinping confirmed their strategic cooperation with new agreements. Two agreements have been signed on the partnership and on strategic cooperation between neighboring countries until 2030, Putin said during a joint action. Xi praised the “constructive talks” with Putin and spoke of expanding trade and economic cooperation with Russia.

The negotiations also touched on the war in Ukraine. Putin praised the Chinese Ukrainian newspaper, which was met with skepticism by many: “We feel that many of the peace plan positions put forward by China are consistent with Russian approaches and can be used as a basis for a peaceful solution once the West and Kiev are ready.”

China has presented a so-called peace plan for Ukraine and repeatedly emphasizes its supposedly neutral position. In fact, the Asian country has never condemned its ally Russia for invading Ukraine. The three-day visit from Beijing also suited Putin well, as it allowed him to demonstrate that he is not isolated internationally – despite the recent arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Baerbock expresses disappointment with Xi’s trip to Moscow

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed her disappointment over Xi’s visit to Moscow. The visit would have been “an opportunity for China to do justice to its responsibility and role as a permanent member of the Security Council,” said the Greens politician on the sidelines of the Greens’ retreat in Weimar.

NATO Secretary General warns China against arms shipments to Russia

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warns China against arms shipments to Russia. Such a move would mean supporting and prolonging an illegal war, the Norwegian said in Brussels. So far there is no evidence that China is supplying arms to Russia, but there are indications that Russia has requested arms and that Beijing is considering such a move.

The US wants to deliver Abrams tanks to Ukraine by the fall

The United States wants to deliver the already promised Abrams tanks to Ukraine by the fall. US Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder said in Washington that the Department had decided to supply Kiev with the M1A1 Abrams tank variant, rather than the newer M1A2 variant. This makes it possible to significantly reduce delivery times and send tanks to Ukraine by the fall.

Japanese Prime Minister invites Selenskyj to G7 meeting – online

During a surprise visit to Ukraine, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged further support to the war-torn country. During a joint press conference with Zelenskyy in Kiev on Tuesday, Kishida invited the Ukrainian president to attend the next G7 summit in May online in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported Wednesday. Japan currently holds the Presidency of the G7.

The current developments around the war also in the live ticker:

Selenskyj recalls the first successes after the outbreak of war a year ago

Meanwhile, Selenskyj remembered his army’s first successes a year ago. On March 21, 2022, the battle for the village of Moschchun, not far from the capital Kiev, was won, he said in his evening video address. “This was our state’s first major step toward victory in this war.”

“We will achieve the same result with other offensive actions,” Zelenskyj said confidently, also in view of the currently hard-fought Donbass in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian flag will also fly again on the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014.

Investigation against Memorial employees for ‘discrediting military’

The Russian Commission of Inquiry has launched criminal proceedings against the head of the Human Rights Center in Memorial, Oleg Orlov, for allegedly “repeatedly discrediting the military”. This is reported by the organization Memorial, which has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, on its Telegram channel. The maximum sentence for this has recently been increased to 15 years in prison in Russia. In the morning, police officers searched the home of Orlov and other leading members of Memorial.

What will be important on Wednesday

After his meeting with Kremlin chief Putin in Moscow, the Chinese head of state and party leader Xi wants to start his journey home on Wednesday. Initially, nothing was known about possible public appointments on the last day of his trip.

In Sweden, parliament wants to vote on the country’s NATO membership. It is expected that a majority of MPs will agree. However, there are still a few things preventing Sweden from joining NATO, even after the Swedish parliament has voted yes. All 30 current NATO members must ratify accession to the alliance. However, Hungary and Turkey have not yet given the green light. Ankara has long prevented Sweden from joining, mainly because Sweden is not taking sufficient action against terrorist organisations. (sda/dpa)