Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his “dear friend” Xi Jinping at the Kremlin on Monday. It was the first trip abroad for Xi since he obtained a third term as China’s leader. Xi has been trying to portray Beijing as a potential peacemaker in Ukraine, even as he deepens economic ties with Russia. Putin told Xi he viewed China’s proposals for a resolution of the Ukraine conflict with respect. The meeting occurred just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant on Friday accusing Putin of war crimes for deporting children from Ukraine. Beijing said the warrant reflected double standards.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “That President Xi is traveling to Russia days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Putin suggests that China feels no responsibility to hold the Kremlin accountable for the atrocities committed in Ukraine. Instead of even condemning them it would rather provide diplomatic cover for Russia to continue to commit those grave crimes.”
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Xi should use his influence to press Putin to withdraw troops from Ukraine, and Washington was concerned that Beijing might instead call for a ceasefire that would let Russian troops stay.
