The meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – a political, economic and security forum dominated by China and Russia – comes at sensitive times for both leaders. Putin is dealing with the economic and political fallout from his war in Ukraine, which has left Russia more isolated. Xi, meanwhile, also faces a slowing economy as he seeks a third five-year term as Communist Party leader. Although he is expected to secure it, this would represent a break with precedent. Both leaders saw their countries’ relations with the West deteriorate. Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov told reporters that the two would meet at the organization’s summit in the Uzbek city of Samarkand on September 15 and 16. “We are actively preparing for this,” Denisov was quoted as saying by Russia’s state-run Tass news agency. The visit to Uzbekistan, if it goes ahead, would be part of Xi’s first trip abroad in two and a half years. Xi has left mainland China only once – for a one-day visit to the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong – since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in late 2019. When asked about the trip, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a daily briefing on Wednesday: “Regarding your question, I have nothing to offer.”
Foreign policies are increasingly aligned
Moscow and Beijing have increasingly aligned their foreign policies to oppose liberal democratic forces in Asia, Europe and beyond, supporting authoritarian rule with tight borders and little regard for free speech, minority rights or opposition. The Russian military conducted sweeping military exercises that began last week and ended Wednesday in the country’s east, involving forces from China, another display of ever-closer ties between the two. Each leader may also hope that the meeting will strengthen their position at home. For Putin, it’s a chance to show he still has powerful allies. For Xi, it could be an opportunity to be seen as bucking Western opposition to the Ukraine war and to polish his nationalist credentials at a time when relations with the US have become increasingly strained over trade, technology, human rights and their threats to attack Taiwan. Coming just before China’s party congress, the overseas visits would also show Xi confident of his position. WATCHES | Chinese military exercises raise fears of future invasion of Taiwan:
China hints that military exercises are dry for a future invasion of Taiwan
Chinese bombers, fighter jets and warships have conducted exercises near Taiwan, hinting at a dry run for a future invasion of the island. Putin and Xi last met in Beijing in February, weeks before the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine. The two presidents oversaw the signing of an agreement pledging that relations between the sides would have “no limitations”. It remains unclear whether Xi knew at the time of Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine. While offering its tacit support to Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, China has sought to appear neutral and avoid possible repercussions from supporting the Russian economy amid international sanctions. Although Moscow and Beijing have previously dismissed the possibility of forming a military alliance, Putin said such a prospect cannot be ruled out. He also noted that Russia shares highly sensitive military technologies with China that have greatly contributed to enhancing its defense capability.
Putin rejects Western sanctions
On Wednesday, Putin said Moscow would continue its military action in Ukraine until it achieved its goals and mocked Western efforts to corner Russia with sanctions. Putin told an annual economic forum in the far eastern city of Vladivostok that the main objective behind sending troops to Ukraine was to protect civilians in the east of that country after eight years of fighting. Putin delivers a speech at the Eastern Economic Forum 2022 plenary in Vladivostok, Russia on Wednesday. (Sergey Bobylev/Tass/Reuters) “We were not the ones who initiated the military action, we are trying to put an end to it,” Putin said, reaffirming his argument that he sent troops to Ukraine to protect Moscow-backed separatist regions there, which have fought Ukrainian forces in Ukraine. the conflict that erupted in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea. “All our action is aimed at helping the people living in Donbass. It is our duty and we will fulfill it to the end,” he said. Putin charged that Russia has strengthened its sovereignty in the face of Western sanctions, which he said bordered on aggression. He derided Western efforts to cap Russian oil and gas prices, calling the idea “stupid” and saying Russia would have plenty of customers in Asia. “Demand is so high in world markets that we will have no problem selling it,” he said. He also rejected the EU’s argument that Russia is using energy as a weapon by cutting off gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany. Putin confirmed Russia’s argument that Western sanctions had hampered maintenance of the last remaining turbine, forcing it to shut down. He reiterated that Moscow is ready to “push the button” and start pumping natural gas “from tomorrow” through Nord Stream 2, which has been put on hold by German authorities.
