China bills itself as a Ukraine peacemaker but US says Xi’s talks with Putin provide ‘diplomatic cover’ for war
Xi Jinping sits down for a second day of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday but Western allies remain skeptical of any breakthrough over the war in Ukraine with Washington saying the Chinese leader’s visit provides “diplomatic cover” for Moscow.
The second day of the state visit to Moscow began with the news that Xi has invited Putin to travel to China at a time of his choice later this year, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Xi will hold a second round of talks with Putin in the afternoon, before attending a ceremony for signing joint agreements as well as a state dinner, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov said there had been a “thorough exchange of views” between the two leaders and that further details would be released in press statements later on Tuesday.
The key question of global interest hanging over the talks is whether any outcomes will impact the conflict in Ukraine, where Russia continues an onslaught that has triggered a mass humanitarian crisis and left tens of thousands dead.
China in recent weeks has attempted to portray itself as an aspiring broker of peace, calling for ceasefire and peace talks in a vaguely-worded position paper released last month.
Putin – who Xi has described as a “dear friend” – said Russia had “carefully studied” China’s proposals and promised “an opportunity to discuss this matter,” according to a Kremlin readout.
