Russia and China are further strengthening their relations

A year after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, China appears to be strengthening its support for Moscow. Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee — a rank above minister — went to Moscow on February 21-22. After meeting with Nikolai Patrushev, the head of the National Security Council, and Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister, he was greeted by Vladimir Putin himself. The Russian president welcomed him around a table of reasonable size, bypassing the distance reserved for some high-ranking guests. Behind this symbol, we can perceive as much a sign of friendship and trust as a sign of respect towards a partner who has become vital for Moscow.

Keen to highlight the quality of bilateral relations, the Kremlin chief noted the sharp increase in trade between the two countries, which increased by 29.3% in 2022 to $190.27 billion (nearly 180 billion euros). The promotion of these exchanges, which have become essential for a Russian economy brutally deprived of part of its connections with Europe, is undoubtedly more important to Moscow than Chinese promises to contribute to peace in Ukraine. China announced the close publication of a file “Document to seek a political settlement of the crisis in Ukraine”.

Mr. Wang introduced him, said Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba ” the main points “ Of this plan, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference held from February 17 to 19, but he could not comment without studying it. “Chinese partners shared with us their thoughts on the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, as well as their approach to its political settlement.”just commented on Mr. Lavrov, specifying: There was no talk of a separate peace plan. »

Xi Jinping predicted

The day after these exchanges, Thursday, the Chinese media was wary and was already pointing to US responsibility for the failure of Beijing’s mediation. “Since Kiev is heavily influenced by Washington, which is not interested in an immediate ceasefire, but prefers a protracted conflict to further weaken Moscow and change the status quo by force, it is really difficult to find a workable formula for peace between the two sides that can accept.” write the Global Times.

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