Vladimir Putin’s welcoming remarks to Xi Jinping seem to have been a rigorously crafted barb geared toward Ukraine and its allies, to make the Chinese language president’s go to to Moscow sting much more.
“Together with our Chinese friends, we… counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism,” the Kremlin chief mentioned.
It was a thinly veiled reference to Russia’s warfare in Ukraine, which Moscow characterises as an existential battle towards modern-day Nazis.
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Putin welcomes ‘pricey buddy’ Xi in Kremlin
China insists it is impartial on the warfare, however Kyiv disputes that. Final month, Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Beijing of supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia instantly.
Xi did not point out Ukraine, however he did say that China and Russia needs to be “true friends of steel” and would work collectively to counter “unilateralism and bullying”.
Kyiv is already livid that Xi is in Moscow within the first place, the place Chinese language troops will participate in Friday’s army parade on Purple Sq. to mark the eightieth anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
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In accordance with Kyiv, it is a present of assist for Russia’s present battle at a time when the West is making an attempt to isolate Moscow.
Vladimir Putin’s feedback about Chinese language assist appear designed to needle Ukraine additional, and to point out that China – militarily or not – is on Russia’s aspect.
