Chinese leader
Xi Jinping arrived in
Moscow on Monday on a three-day visit that offers a strong political boost for
Russian President
Vladimir Putin as fighting in
Ukraine grinds on.
China and
Russia have described Xi’s trip as part of efforts to further deepen their “no-limits friendship.” The
Kremlin has welcomed China’s peace plan for Ukraine and said it would be discussed talks between Putin and Xi that will begin over dinner on Monday.
Beijing has called for a cease-fire, but
Washington strongly rejected the idea as the effective ratification of the Kremlin’s battlefield gains. Get New
England news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NECN newsletters. Xi’s trip to Russia comes after the International Criminal Court on Friday issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest on war crimes charges. The Kremlin, which doesn't recognize the authority of the ICC, has rejected its move as “legally null and void.” China’s foreign ministry on Monday called on the ICC to “respect the jurisdictional immunity” of a head of state and “avoid politicization and double standards.” China looks to Russia as a source of
Oil and gas for its energy-hungry
economy and as a partner in opposing what both see as
American domination of global affairs.