Visiting Moscow, Xi likely to offering Putin help in evading Western sanctions
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Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Xi plan to meet in Moscow on March 20-22 during the Chinese leader’s state visit to Russia.
Read also: China unready to arm Russia right now — Kuleba
The Kremlin announced there would be the signing of “bilateral documents” and discussion of “topical issues” during meeting with the Chinese leader, while the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Xi’s visit to Moscow would be focused on “promoting peace.”
Meanwhile, “Chinese companies have reportedly sold rifles, drone parts, and equipment to Russian entities that could be used for military purposes, and Western intelligence agencies have stated that Chinese leadership is considering the provision of lethal equipment to Russia,” ISW wrote.
According to ISW analysts, Xi is expected to discuss with Putin and Russian officials potential strategies to bypass Western sanctions, which would enable the sale and provision of Chinese equipment to Russia.
Read also: China supplied rifles and body armor to Russia in 2022, Politico reports
Previously, ISW analysts concluded that during a visit to Beijing on March 1, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko and Xi signed a package of 16 agreements that could facilitate the circumvention of Russian sanctions by moving Chinese products through Belarus.
“Xi also likely aims to promote Chinese efforts aiming to position China as an impartial third-party mediator for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine,” ISW analysts noted.
Read also: ISW reveals China’s vital role in propping up Russia’s military industry
China released a comprehensive 12-point peace plan ahead on the anniversary of Ukraine’s full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. The plan includes a proposal for a ceasefire, lifting of sanctions, and the restarting of negotiations.
However, “it remains unclear what more definitive Chinese proposals for a negotiated settlement to the war would encompass”, ISW wrote.
Analysts have suggested that Xi may attempt to leverage his recent success in reconciling Iran and Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic ties to potentially mediate the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The meeting with Xi will be Putin’s first with a major world leader since an arrest warrant for him on charges of war crimes was issued by the International Criminal Court on March 17.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
