Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a rare trip abroad to Beijing, where he's set to attend the Belt and Road forum, as reported by Chinese state media.
This visit comes amidst an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. During his visit, Putin is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reinforcing the strong ties between Moscow and Beijing.
This connection is closely monitored by Western officials, especially in Washington and Brussels, given China's support for Russia during the Ukraine conflict, which has helped mitigate the impact of Western sanctions. Furthermore, Putin's visit is seen as a show of support for Xi's signature Belt and Road project, which has funded numerous infrastructure initiatives but faces challenges such as debt sustainability and China's economic slowdown.
https://twitter.com/CGTNOfficial/status/1714088015809958173In an interview ahead of his trip, Putin emphasized his close relationship with Xi, noting that they've met more than 40 times. Putin's visit follows his recent trip to Kyrgyzstan, his first foreign visit since the ICC issued the arrest warrant in March.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, covering various global topics, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Putin's presence at the Belt and Road forum marks a significant geopolitical development and highlights the deepening relationship between China and Russia, even in the face of international scrutiny and challenges on various fronts.
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