Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Thursday for his first trip abroad since being re-elected in March. Despite the lack of major progress in relations between China and Russia following Putin’s visit, photos showed him exchanging a hug with Chinese President Xi Jinping. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby commented that the personal affection between the two leaders was not something he would comment on.
Kirby stated that the United States has expressed concerns about Chinese companies providing technology to Russia for its actions in Ukraine. However, he noted that Putin’s visit did not lead to any significant advancements in this area and that Xi was not rushing to assist Moscow’s armed forces. While the US is keeping an eye on the relationship between China and Russia, Kirby did not indicate that there were any surprising developments resulting from Putin’s visit.
During their talks in Beijing, Putin and Xi characterized their nations’ relationship as a stabilizing force in a world full of chaos. Despite the lack of major advancements in relations between China and Russia, the two leaders appeared to emphasize the importance of their countries’ ties. The United States remains cautious about the direction of this partnership and is monitoring it closely for any concerning developments.