Xi Jinping Urged Putin to Avoid Reckless Actions, Says Report

China's Stance During the Xi-Putin Meeting in Beijing

According to ХВИЛЯ: In an interview, Edward Lucas, a columnist for The Times, outlined China's position during the meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Beijing, describing it as a call for restraint. Lucas believes the Chinese leader is prepared to pressure Putin to end the war in Ukraine, given Beijing's substantial leverage over the Kremlin. He also noted that China has now emerged as a full-fledged player in European security for the first time.

China's Role in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Putin's meeting with Xi occurred just a week after Donald Trump visited the Chinese leader. According to media reports, during his conversation with Trump, Xi allegedly remarked that Putin might regret the invasion of Ukraine-though China has denied those claims. Lucas highlighted several of Putin's strategic missteps, including:

• support for Assad;
• attempts to court Cuba;
• the war in Ukraine.

He noted that Beijing was displeased with the surge in food, fuel, and fertilizer prices following the invasion. While China does not want Russia to lose, it certainly wants the war to end. According to Lucas, Xi could end the conflict with a single phone call. He emphasized:

“When we go to Beijing, we tell Xi: please calm Putin down, do this and that”

- Edward Lucas.

Lucas also pointed out that Russia would not survive without tacit support from China, which supplies critical components for the war effort and purchases Russian energy resources. He stressed that China's nuclear doctrine is restrained, with nuclear weapons considered only as a last resort. At the same time, he underscored that

“Xi's economy is growing rapidly; he shows confidence in international affairs. Meanwhile, Putin's economy is in disarray, much smaller, and everything he does ends very badly”

- Edward Lucas.

Lucas further observed that China's harshest criticism of Russia came when Putin brandished his nuclear arsenal. “China fundamentally wants stability because everything is going its way. Putin, on the other hand, loves chaos because he knows Russia is in disarray and can only gain the upper hand through turmoil,” he said.

Thus, China's position on the war in Ukraine is gaining new significance, and Xi Jinping's role in this process is becoming increasingly prominent. It is worth noting that China, driven by its economic interests and desire for stability, could become a key player in finding a resolution to the conflict-one that carries global consequences. Beijing's growing influence on the international stage may shift the regional balance of power and reshape future relations among major powers.

As the geopolitical landscape shifts, understanding the implications of Xi's influence on Putin becomes crucial. The recent visit by Putin to China amid ongoing conflict and economic challenges highlights the delicate balance both leaders must navigate. This meeting not only underscores China's growing role in international security but also raises questions about the future of Russian support and the war in Ukraine.