Xi tells Putin – do NOT nuke Ukraine

Chinese President Xi Jinping personally warned Russian leader Vladimir Putin about the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine during a state visit to Moscow in March, Chinese officials have claimed.

Beijing has taken steps to strengthen ties with the Kremlin in recent years, with the two sides agreeing to a no-limits partnership just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Xi then vowed last summer to support Russia’s “sovereignty and security” under pressure from the West, despite Putin ordering his troops to invade a sovereign nation. .

But in the latest sign that China’s support for Russia could be wavering, a senior Beijing adviser told the FT that Chinese officials intend to push Putin to withdraw from ratcheting up nuclear weapons in an effort to mend their lagging relationship with Europe.

This, he said, was a point of particular pride for Beijing’s diplomats, and was praised by top European Union diplomat Josep Borrell, who stated in March that Xi’s visit to Moscow “reduces the risk of nuclear war and she [the Chinese] have made it very, very clear’.

Russia possesses the world’s most terrifying nuclear arsenal (pictured: Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile test launch)

Tanyway China is clearly against the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, many questioning their sincerity because of Beijing’s close ties to Moscow and outright refusal to publicly condemn Putin’s war.

Beijing reaffirmed its desire to strengthen military relations on Monday, when Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu told Russian Navy chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov that Beijing hopes for more exchanges, joint exercises and other forms of cooperation, according to a release from his ministry. .

The pair met in Beijing for the first formal military talks between the friendly neighbors since a short-lived mutiny by the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which analysts say weakened Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position.

“The Chinese and Russian navies have close contacts and frequent interactions,” the ministry quoted Mr Li as saying.

“It is hoped that the two sides will strengthen communication at all levels, organize regular joint training, joint patrols and joint war games.”

The military cooperation embodies the informal alliance of the Chinese and Russian governments to oppose the US-led liberal world order.

They align their foreign policies and positions with the United Nations, where Beijing has consistently provided diplomatic cover for Moscow.

Although it claims to be neutral in the war in Ukraine, China has sided firmly with Russia, accusing the US and NATO of provoking Moscow and fueling the bloodshed by helping to arm Ukraine.

China has refused to condemn the invasion or refer to it as one out of deference to Moscow, but has also said it will not provide Russia with military aid or weapons for the conflict.

China’s economic support has also been crucial to Russia’s invasion, helping them evade economic sanctions and gain vital resources.

Bilateral trade between China and Russia reached an astonishing $190 billion last year, demonstrating their closer ties.

The Russian president tried to project an image of strength when he addressed leaders present at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) via video link.

Putin used his first appearance with other world leaders to send a message of defiance to the West

But the war in Ukraine has, in the eyes of many, isolated Russia on the world stage and has made Moscow a more or less subordinate partner to Beijing.

Devastating battlefield losses and months of crippling economic sanctions, followed by the short-lived military mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner mercenary group last month, have tested Putin’s authority.

In light of this, the Russian president tried earlier this week at his first international conference since the Wagner group‘s aborted mutiny.

He tried to project an image of strength – after the chaos that gripped his country last month – as he addressed leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) via video link.

Putin urged the conference: “The solidarity and great responsibility for the fate of the fatherland was clearly shown by Russian political circles and the whole society by speaking out as a united front against the attempted armed insurrection.”

Mercenaries led by Yevgeny Prigozhin marched on Moscow on June 23-24 demanding the replacement of the military leadership in a humiliating 24-hour episode for the Kremlin and the biggest threat to Putin in his 23 years in power.

Since then, Putin has desperately tried to bolster his authority by keeping his defense minister Sergei Shoigu in office, reportedly purging supporters of the mutiny and claiming victories in the war in Ukraine.

Putin used his first outing with other world leaders to send a message of defiance to the West, insisting without evidence that Russia is getting stronger despite heavy sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine.