Xi Jinping

Chinese leader expected to position himself as peacemaker as Vladimir Putin welcomes his 'good old friend'

In an article in Rossiiskaya Gazeta, a daily published by the Russian government, Xi called for “pragmatism” on Ukraine. “The topics that figured in this plan will inevitably be touched upon during the exchange of views on Ukraine” between Putin and Xi, Peskov said. The first and main point is the capitulation or withdrawal of the Russian occupation troops,” Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s national security and defence council, tweeted on Monday. “We are grateful for the balanced line of [China] in connection with the events taking place in Ukraine, for understanding their background and true causes. For his part, the Russian president will be hoping to project unity in the face of western isolation, as the US condemned Xi for providing “diplomatic cover” for Moscow to continue to commit further crimes in Ukraine. “We are always open to negotiations,” the Russian leader added. “I am confident the visit will be fruitful and give new momentum to the healthy and stable development of Chinese-Russian relations.” “The formula for the successful implementation of China’s ‘Peace Plan’. “We have thoroughly studied your proposals on regulating the acute crisis in Ukraine. The state-run Ria news agency said Monday’s informal talks lasted for four and a half hours. [arrest warrant](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/17/vladimir-putin-arrest-warrant-ukraine-war-crimes) by the international criminal court for overseeing the abduction of Ukrainian children, sending Russia another significant step on the path to becoming a pariah state, and two days after he made a [surprise visit](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/19/vladimir-putin-makes-surprise-visit-to-occupied-mariupol-in-ukraine) to the occupied city of Mariupol in an apparent show of defiance towards the court and the west in general. [China](https://www.theguardian.com/world/china) was “ready to resolutely defend the UN-centric international system, stand guard over the world order based on international law”.

Xi reportedly said he was confident his visit would boost the two nations' "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation in a new era."

[China may be preparing to provide lethal weapons](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cia-director-bill-burns-china-russia-lethal-aid/) to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which China denies. Putin also said that he had "carefully studied" China's proposal to end the war in Ukraine. We will, of course, discuss all these issues, including your initiatives, which we treat with respect," Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Chinas President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 20, 2023. (Photo by SERGEI KARPUKHIN/SPUTNIK/AFP ...

"This helps Russia stay defiant against Western sanctions," tweeted Chris Weafer, CEO and Russian economy analyst at the consulting firm Macro-Advisory. Before the meeting began, Putin described Xi's visit as a "landmark event" in an article published in China's top People's Daily newspaper, saying it offers a "great opportunity for me to meet with my good old friend with whom we enjoy the warmest relationship." While most observers say that Beijing will be unlikely to offer Moscow military assistance as the U.S. They are expected to issue conclusive statements after the negotiations. He then walked past a line of honorary guards accompanied by Chernyshenko. While Putin didn't break protocol and pamper Xi with a surprise appearance at the airport, the Russian leader showered his Chinese guest with praise when he greeted him inside the Kremlin before a private dinner.

China is calling Xi Jinping's visit a “trip for peace,” but he is unlikely to risk straining the country's ties with Russia and President Vladimir V. Putin.

Blinken said that despite Russia’s invasion, China remained the [greatest challenger](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/26/us/politics/china-policy-biden.html) to the U.S. [delay the invasion of Ukraine](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/us/politics/russia-ukraine-china.html) until after the Olympics. Putin of Russia have said that they have developed a personal friendship that reflects the strong bond that their countries have forged in the face of Western animosity. Peskov said that Xi and Putin will “of course” discuss Beijing’s peace proposal for the Ukraine war. Xi and Putin of Russia will have a six-course meal at the Kremlin today, according to a menu published by a state media journalist. Instead, according to the Russian translation of Mr. Kirby, seeking to downplay the significance of the Moscow meeting, called the Russian-Chinese alliance a “marriage of convenience” and referred to Russia as the “junior partner” in the relationship. But he expressed deep skepticism about the Chinese efforts, saying that a call for a cease-fire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukraine “would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest,” he said. Mr. President Xi Jinping’s visit “suggests that China feels no responsibility to hold the president accountable for the atrocities committed in Ukraine,” Mr. Putin had in mind any of the concessions that Ukraine has said must be a precondition for talks, including the withdrawal of Russian troops. Blinken said on Monday that any plan that did not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukraine “would recognize Russia’s attempts to seize a sovereign neighbor’s territory by force.”

The Chinese president is the first leader to meet Putin since he was hit with an international arrest warrant.

“I know that next year there will be another presidential election in your country,” Xi told Putin at the start of talks in the Kremlin, the state-run TASS news agency reported. Beijing questions the ICC’s move. “Thanks to your strong leadership, Russia has made significant progress in achieving prosperity …

Vladimir Putin has said he will discuss Xi Jinping's 12-point plan to "settle the acute crisis in Ukraine", during a highly anticipated visit to Moscow by ...

Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated there would be a "detailed explanation" of Moscow's actions in Ukraine over dinner. I am confident that the Russian people will continue to give you their firm support." On Monday, a military band gave Mr Xi a warm welcome to Moscow. Russia is a source of oil for Beijing's huge economy, and is seen as a partner in standing up to the US. "If China does move to openly supply weapons to Russia, it will in effect be taking part in the conflict on the side of the aggressor," said Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council. Mr Putin hailed China for "observing the principles of justice" and pushing for "undivided security for every country".

The meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin is expected to focus heavily on the war in Ukraine, and comes after a surprise weekend trip by Putin into ...

And that presumably was the subtext of his trip to Mariupol. The Kremlin has made clear the ICC court warrant charging Putin with overseeing the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children into Russia is null and void in their eyes. All of this is unfolding against the backdrop of these charges issued by the International Criminal Court against Putin for war crimes. MAYNES: This is Putin's deputy minister and point man for reconstruction, Marat Khusnullin, assuring Putin - and, of course, TV viewers - that Ukrainian forces were responsible for the destruction of the city and bombing civilians. You know, after all, Kremlin officials note that Russia, like the U.S., is not a signatory to the court, so there's no jurisdiction here. What they did see were new apartments, playgrounds, a new theater and also a small crowd of grateful locals, one of whom told Putin that Russia had built a piece of heaven in Mariupol. I mean, Putin made a surprise trip to occupied Ukraine over the weekend. Putin also wrote Russia was open to Chinese peace proposals but claimed the West didn't want an end to the Ukraine conflict because, Putin argued, the war was part of this grander plot to not only degrade Russia, but to contain China. You know, Putin published an article in the Chinese press on the eve of Xi's visit in which he really tried to bind Russia's fallout with the West over Ukraine to China's own tensions with the U.S. On the other, China isn't happy about what the war has done to the global economy. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Moscow and will spend three days there, where the two leaders will surely discuss the war in Ukraine. It hasn't joined Western sanctions, and it's given cover to Russian arguments that the war was provoked by the West.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin as part of a closely watched state visit to Russia that started Monday.

Xi is expected to have a call with Zelensky following his meeting with Putin, the first since the war started. officials had reiterated warnings to Chinese officials that it would "not be in their best interest" to do so. China's peace proposal is a "fig leaf," Alexander Gabuev, an expert on Russia-China relations at the Carnegie Institute for International Peace, told ABC News. China has sought to present itself as neutral, but in reality has provided Russia with an economic lifeline amid Western sanctions and helped it source sanctioned components, such as semiconductors, for its war machine. Any plan that does not prioritize Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity "is a stalling tactic at best, or is merely seeking to facilitate an unjust outcome," Blinken said. A motorcade then whisked Xi to the Kremlin, where he was welcomed by Putin.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is signaling solidarity with his "dear friend" Vladimir Putin this week in Moscow — a visit that also underscores Russia's ...

- “Continuing the war for Putin is more important than any attempt to keep balance or strategic autonomy,” Gabuev says. That gives Xi a lot of leverage with his giant neighbor. Trade with China now accounts for more than 30% of Russia’s total imports and exports, but just - Russia remains a key source of oil, arms and military technology for China. Dinner tonight was a seven-course affair featuring quail blinis, Siberian salmon, venison in cherry sauce and wine from Russia's Black Sea coast, according to menus posted on Twitter. Chinese officials and state media have

When the Chinese leader calls the Ukrainian one after talking to Putin, the talking points must be “sovereignty” and “territorial integrity.”

During the call, Zelenskiy should insist on his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as the basis of all subsequent talks, and get his Chinese counterpart to nod along. Simply rebuffing Chinese overtures is not an option, because Kyiv is fighting not only a physical war but also a contest of narratives to win moral, economic and military support across the world. Talking would amount to capitulation in the face of aggression. Writing in a Chinese newspaper before Xi’s visit, Putin has signaled that for talks to start, Ukraine would have to accept Russia’s illegal annexations of Ukrainian territory. In 1994, Moscow even gave Kyiv assurances over its integrity and security in return for the Ukrainians giving up their Soviet-era nuclear warheads. It’s the fourth objective — the definition of sovereignty and integrity — where things get complicated. Xi wants the world to stipulate who is and isn’t sovereign. And last, he wants to enshrine his own interpretation of sovereignty as a guiding principle to global politics, with a view to Taiwan. And he places Taiwan in the latter category. For the first objective — staring down the US-led West — Xi still regards Putin as a useful understudy, who must be kept from failing outright in Ukraine. Second, he wants to pose — with a keen eye to audiences in the “Global South” — as a global peacemaker and honest broker. In tone, that second conversation is sure to be stilted and awkward.

Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off the second day of his state visit to Moscow Tuesday with talks with Russia's prime minister, following more than ...

Voiced by artificial intelligence. KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is happy to unleash withering criticism against countries including Hungary ...

“It was the business of two private institutions, and it was possible to deal with it nicely. “China refuses to acknowledge who is the aggressor and who is the victim. “Of course, it is not a peace plan. We are on the side of the free democratic world, not on the side of authoritarian regimes.” He observed that while most countries were seeking to isolate Russia, China was deepening ties with the aggressor state in many areas — turning Russia from junior partner to vassal state. In 2020, when Skyrizon filed another request to the AMCU, the Ukrainian government ordered the nationalization of MotorSich. “This time, China understands that if it manages to do what the U.S. “I think some of the Chinese proposals respect international law, and I think we can work on it with China. It can create a mediator image in this war, just like Beijing reconciled the Iranian-Saudi conflict and became a real peacemaker,” she told POLITICO. In the years ahead, China’s deep pockets are also likely to play a role in helping Ukraine rebuild from the devastation of war. “I think the fact that China started talking about Ukraine is not bad. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he would welcome such a conversation between Xi and Zelenskyy, noting, “We believe that the [People’s Republic of China] and President Xi himself should hear directly the Ukrainian perspective and not just the Russian perspective.”

Chinese leader shows support for his Russian counterpart on first trip to Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine.

For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the “Settings & Account” section. Compare Standard and Premium Digital For a full comparison of Standard and Premium Digital,

As Russian President Vladimir Putin confers with China's President Xi Jinping in Moscow, the visit signifies more than a celebration of the so-called "no ...

"The Chinese say that they believe in cooperation and mutual respect, but they're doing a lot of things which are inconsistent with those principles," said Kennedy. goal has to be to fundamentally change the nature of the Chinese regime to make it more compatible with the international system?" "We have no good mechanisms in place to manage a crisis," said Kennedy. "Is the goal to sort of harden the West against China but assume that we're going to be coexisting indefinitely? After a Chinese surveillance balloon was spotted over the U.S., President Biden said he intended to hold a call with his counterpart Xi, but that has yet to be scheduled. It's basically every kind of warfare you can but we're not quite yet to the point where we're shooting at each other yet," he said. should hear directly from the Ukrainians, and not just from the Russians." "What's new lately is the greater willingness to directly name the U.S. "The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms." "China has not condemned the war but they haven't provided lethal weapons. and China to a boil. "It would enable Russia to further entrench positions in Ukraine.

Welcome to today's Morning Brief, where we're looking at Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, two failed no-confidence ...

[Ma Ying-jeou](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/20/former-taiwan-president-to-visit-china-in-unprecedented-trip) is going to visit China this month. The conference was focused on the ICC, but in a video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also tried to raise support for a new tribunal to supplement the ICC and hold Russian leaders accountable. The cease-fire was agreed in December 2022, but Petro accused the cartel of “sowing anxiety and terror.” Petro said the cartel had broken the cease-fire by inciting protests and shooting at police officers. The trip was scheduled from March 27 to April 7, but local media reported that Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council had not yet received reports about the planned trip, which is a requirement for former presidents. The council would have a month to consider objections to the plan. Scientists believe this is because of depleted oxygen, a result of floods and hot weather. Justice ministers from more than 40 countries convened at a conference on war crimes mere days after the ICC issued a warrant for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a top government official for allegedly kidnapping Ukrainian children. Police have set up emergency operation centers to coordinate a massive cleanup. [Narendra Modi](https://apnews.com/article/india-japan-modi-kishida-meeting-2ccec67ae7fa4b26090316d3d98a5b59) met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in India. The opposition can now appeal to France’s Constitutional Council to block the law. I am confident that the Russian people will continue to give you their firm support.” This means that the government can now push through Macron’s deeply unpopular pension reform plan using special constitutional powers.

War in Ukraine looms over Chinese leader's visit, while the West worries about a more-powerful Russia-China axis.

[Save $300 Off with this LG Promo Code](https://www.wsj.com/coupons/lg) [Wayfair Coupon - 20% Off](https://www.wsj.com/coupons/wayfair) Putin demonstrates his determination to carry on the fighting.

The visit by Chinese Presiden Xi Jinping's is Beijing's strongest show of support yet for Russian President Vladimir Putin since Russia's invasion of ...

EDT [arrived in Kyiv Tuesday](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/21/japan-fumio-kishida-ukraine-visit/)to meet with Zelensky, becoming the first post-war Japanese leader to visit an active war zone and the final leader of the Group of Seven advanced nations to make the trek to Ukraine’s capital to show support. [a new global order](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/19/putin-xi-russia-china-world-order/?itid=lk_inline_manual_2)opposed to U.S. Kishida visited Bucha, the Ukranian town where Russian forces [killed scores of civilians](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/08/ukraine-bucha-bodies/)and buried them in mass graves. The White House has accused Xi of providing “diplomatic cover” for Putin after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his [arrest](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/17/icc-hague-arrest-warrants-putin-russia-ukraine/)— a largely symbolic move, as Russia, like the United States, does not accept the court’s jurisdiction. Putin and Xi appear to be positioning themselves as leaders of [international condemnation](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/17/icc-hague-arrest-warrants-putin-russia-ukraine/), is Xi’s first since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Beijing has billed the trip [as a peace mission](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/17/xi-putin-meeting-ukraine/?itid=lk_inline_manual_2)but has not yet indicated if a formal call with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will also take place. Chinese state media has [portrayed](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/21/china-xi-russia-world-leadership/?itid=lk_inline_manual_4) the visit as Xi’s bid for leadership of the non-Western world. They did not announce any major progress toward peace in Ukraine, which Putin said the two leaders discussed at length. [12-point proposal](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/23/china-ukraine-ceasefire-peace-talks-russia/?itid=lk_inline_manual_38&itid=lk_inline_manual_4&itid=lk_inline_manual_4) for ending the conflict, which includes no demands for Moscow to withdraw its troops, and which Ukraine has dismissed. The leaders signed two agreements, one affirming partnership and one setting out plans for economic cooperation, which they discussed at a joint news conference.

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin emerged from two days of talks on Tuesday with warm words of friendship between China and Russia and joint criticism of the ...

"We were in the kitchen and the missile came through the roof. Between apartment blocks, mainly elderly residents queued for water and food delivered by a team from the State Emergency Service. Kyiv has decided this month not to pull its forces out of the city. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said visiting at such a time amounted to giving Putin "diplomatic cover" for atrocities. Xi's visit to Moscow - long touted by the Kremlin as a show of support from its most powerful friend - featured plenty of demonstrative bonhomie. The latest world leader to make the gruelling overland journey to show solidarity with Ukraine, Kishida toured Bucha on the capital's outskirts, left littered with dead last year by fleeing Russian troops.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to Moscow is a symbolic shot in the arm for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and underscores their goal to counter the ...

At some point, transatlantic unity may begin to fracture as the war drags on, and China could try to play a role in diplomatic talks by exploiting divisions within NATO, experts said. “That’s not good for the U.S. and European technology, Beijing has offered Moscow an economic lifeline by buying its oil and gas, and selling semiconductors and other “dual use” items needed to keep the Kremlin’s war machine operating. No longer able to sell its oil and gas to Europe, Russia has exported its surplus energy at a steep discount to China, as well as other countries, saving them billions of dollars. Xi and Putin, who have met about 40 times since 2010, both reject what they see as efforts by the U.S. “They share a deep and abiding interest in undermining U.S. China has accused the U.S. In televised remarks after greeting Xi inside the Kremlin, Putin said he had “carefully studied” China’s recent proposal for ending the But officials said they were concerned Xi would instead reiterate calls for a cease-fire that leaves Russia’s territorial gains in place — part of a Beijing says the court is using “double standards.” Beijing denies U.S. and its allies.

Questions remain as to what unwritten understandings the two leaders might or might not have reached regarding shipment of Chinese arms to Russia.

He also announced that "we are awaiting the arrival of a delegation of Chinese sportsmen in spring of next year in Kazan for the first international multi-sport tournament 'Games of the Future,' involving innovative types of sport in which physical activity pairs with digital and scientific elements." Concrete information was no more forthcoming when the leaders' remarks turned to the war in Ukraine. The 20 minutes of coverage which followed were heavy on sentiment but light on details about what that "historical level" of cooperation might entail.

After hosting Chinese leader Xi Jinping over a seven-course private dinner for four and a half hours the previous night, Russian President Vladimir Putin ...

Xi briefly referred to it, telling Mishustin he was happy to be back in Moscow after a long break because of the pandemic. They chatted and shook hands, and Putin stood on the pavement for a moment, waving his hand as Xi’s limo drove away. Prior to attending the Kremlin talks, Xi met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Putin cited a long quote from China’s classical Book of Changes about friendship capable of overcoming any obstacles that the interpreter failed to fully grasp. They walked past a lineup of Russian and Chinese officials to sit down for talks. George, a top military award established by Catherine the Great.

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin posed as peacebrokers during a chummy visit in Moscow on Tuesday, again touting a supposed plan to end Russia's raging war in ...

They are crucial to the world order and all mankind’s future and destiny.” The US meanwhile, warned on Monday that Xi’s visit provided “diplomatic cover” for Russia’s war. “We agreed that the relations between our two nations go way beyond ourselves. “We haven’t seen any proof that China is delivering lethal weapons to Russia, but we have seen some signs that this has been a request from Russia, and that this is an issue that is considered in Beijing by the Chinese authorities,” the alliance’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at a news conference in Brussels on Tuesday. Ukrainian Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov also that day said on Twitter that the “successful implementation” of a Chinese “peace plan” must start with the “capitulation or withdrawal” of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory. Putin on Tuesday backed the Chinese leader’s proposal for a “peaceful settlement in Ukraine,” in a show of unity at the Kremlin that raised the prospect of a strengthened anti-Western bulwark at the international level.

An ecstatic reception for the Chinese premier in Moscow revealed the dearth of diplomatic and military options before Russia, and just how few friends ...

One Moscow source who had talked to the Chinese delegation told me that Chinese officials said they had no plans for weapons deliveries but “there was clearly an interest in China in not allowing Russia to be defeated by a hostile Western coalition led by the U.S.” China, in the view of Russian and American analysts I spoke to, seemed to need Russia as an ally—or a wedge—against the U.S., which it sees as unfairly surrounding and suffocating its growth. He agreed to deal with much of the world in the Chinese Yuan (the Euro, the dollar, and the Swiss Franc having become problematic), to export more grain and more meat to China, to have more student exchanges, hell, he even agreed to make more TV shows with the Chinese. In the mind of patriotic Muscovites, this and Beijing’s insistence on “multipolarity” was an agreement to what Putin had outlined in his 2007 speech at the Munich Security Conference: the world could not be dominated by one superpower and still be democratic. [wrote](https://puck.news/putins-oligarchs-fall-in-line/), going into the summit, about Russia having very clearly become the junior partner in a relationship with a country that it has traditionally looked down on, culturally and racially. invasion of Iraq and Beijing’s insistence on a return to a world governed by the U.N.—something Russia, which also has veto power on the Security Council, has insisted on since 2003. “If China had any doubt about what the response would be from the collective West, they don’t have it anymore,” said Dmitri Alperovitch, the chairman of Silverado, a D.C.-based think tank. And second, the Biden administration, once again, was able to use whatever intelligence it did have to provoke a strong enough reaction inside the U.S. Would he supply Putin the lethal aid that he needed to win? One Kremlin reporter said on the air that Biden was so eager to talk to Xi, who had, in the minds of official Moscow, arrived in Russia to help end American hegemony, that he would surely call him while the Chinese leader was in Moscow so he could plead his case. is now against stopping the shooting, as hard as that is to believe.”) And so the Biden administration did what it had done to great effect just before Putin sent his tanks into Ukraine: it weaponized intelligence, leaking it in order to scare its allies as well as China. It was clearly formulated in a way to project Beijing’s image of neutrality and objectivity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with China's President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2023. Pavel Byrkin/SPUTNIK/AFP/Getty Images.

And they really resent the heavy-handedness and the dominance of the United States and the European countries in terms of so much of world affairs.” China’s model of authoritarian capitalism as the basis for a new global system could prove attractive to some states around the world, as it seeks to build ties in in Africa, central America and elsewhere. Such a move would tend to cut against a reputation for avoiding bold foreign policy maneuvers outside its region, and would irrevocably line it up alongside a pariah power in Moscow. After the Cold War, Russia was seen as far less of a threat to the US – until Putin’s hard turn against Washington over the last two decades. Xi made no attempt to hide that his trip to Moscow was in the service of weakening US and Western power. One of the most revered architects of US Cold War policy, diplomat George Kennan, had warned before his death that NATO expansion into former Warsaw pact states in Eastern Europe could push Russia into Beijing’s arms. [traded tributes](https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2023/03/21/the-lead-selina-wang.cnn) over a feast of quail, venison, Siberian white salmon and pomegranate sorbet, [China and Russia](https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/21/europe/china-xi-russia-putin-visit-day-two-talks-intl-hnk/index.html) seemed to conjure the anti-Western compact the US has long feared. China and many of these other countries that are emerging much stronger economically and politically feel that they’re having to abide by the rules made by the United States and some of the European countries,” Locke said on CNN’s “Inside Politics.” “And they feel that they should have a say in the so-called bylaws of the country club. But even if China declines what the US says are Russian requests for lethal arms, the country’s expanding economic and trade ties with Moscow could help Putin stay in the war for much longer. And it reinforced its multi-billion dollar support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government by announcing on Tuesday the earlier-than-expected deployment of This resentment has festered in Putin’s mind ever since the Soviet Union collapsed, and he has tried for years to reshape the international system. And China and Russia, together, have more capacity to frustrate American goals in Ukraine and elsewhere.