Connexion
After Trump announes plan to arm Ukraine, Xi calls to deepen Russia–China strategic partnership
During a recent meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated that China and Russia must “deepen their strategic partnership.”
China’s official stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine is one of neutrality and calls for peace, but in practice, Beijing has become Russia’s key strategic partner and main sponsor. While China continues to deny supplying weapons, evidence suggests the supply of weapons components and the presence of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
The meeting took place the day after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US President Donald Trump gathered in Washington, where both sides pledged greater support for Ukraine.
On 14 July, the American leader announced the delivery of 17 Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv and a new agreement with NATO under which allies will pay for US weapons for Ukraine. Trump also issued an ultimatum: Russia will face 100% tariffs if it doesn’t end the war within 50 days.
At the meeting with Lavrov, the Chinese president claimed that the two countries must strengthen mutual support and unite Global South nations to form “a more just international order.”
Xi emphasized that the foreign ministries of both countries must implement the agreements reached between him and Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, and enhance cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
“The SCO has become an influential regional organization that plays a major role in the stability of Eurasia,” the Chinese leader stressed.
The SCO was founded in 2001. Its mission has evolved from counterterrorism to broader economic and political cooperation. The organization currently unites 10 countries and is headquartered in Beijing.
China is Russia’s largest trading partner and has provided Moscow with economic support that has helped it withstand Western sanctions.
Xi and Putin have met dozens of times and signed a “no-limits partnership” in February 2022, less than three weeks before Putin sent troops into Ukraine, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
This year, Putin and Xi signed another agreement to further deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a senior EU diplomat that China “cannot accept” a Russian defeat in the war against Ukraine, arguing that such an outcome would allow the US to shift its foreign policy focus toward Beijing.
