From Ukraine war to US influence, key takeaways from Putin-Xi Jinping summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping recently held a virtual summit, where they discussed a range of issues that are of mutual interest to both countries. The talks were held against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Russia and the West, particularly in the aftermath of Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Here are some key takeaways from the summit:

Ukraine conflict: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine was a major topic of discussion during the summit. Putin and Xi both condemned what they called "Western interference" in the region, and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. They also expressed their support for each other's positions on the issue. Russia has been accused of supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine, while China has been accused of providing military and economic support to Russia.

Economic ties: Putin and Xi both emphasized the importance of economic ties between Russia and China. They pledged to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, and investment, and announced a number of new deals between Russian and Chinese companies. Russia is looking to diversify its economy away from its dependence on the West, while China is seeking new sources of energy and raw materials.

Military cooperation: The two leaders also discussed military cooperation between their countries. They announced joint military exercises, and pledged to strengthen their cooperation in areas such as missile defense and cybersecurity. This comes amid growing concerns in both countries about the perceived threat posed by the United States and its allies.

US influence: Putin and Xi both criticized what they see as US efforts to maintain global dominance. They accused the United States of using its military and economic power to bully other countries, and called for a more multipolar world order. They also expressed their support for each other's efforts to counter US influence in their respective regions.

Global challenges: Putin and Xi also discussed a number of global challenges, including climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and terrorism. They pledged to work together to address these issues, and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in finding solutions to these global problems.

Overall, the summit highlighted the growing partnership between Russia and China, as both countries seek to counterbalance what they see as US hegemony. While the two countries have different political systems and have had their own conflicts in the past, they share a common interest in challenging the dominance of the United States and its allies. As tensions continue to rise between Russia and the West, and as China becomes more assertive on the global stage, the partnership between Moscow and Beijing is likely to become even more important in the years to come.Joint projects: Putin and Xi also discussed a number of joint projects between Russia and China, including in the areas of space exploration, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence. They announced plans for a joint lunar base and a joint research center for deep-sea exploration. These projects demonstrate the potential for cooperation between the two countries in high-tech industries.

Belt and Road Initiative: China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was also discussed during the summit. Russia has expressed concerns about the potential for the BRI to encroach on its sphere of influence in Central Asia, but the two leaders emphasized the potential for cooperation between the BRI and Russia's own Eurasian Economic Union. This suggests that Russia may be seeking to find a way to benefit from the BRI without ceding too much influence to China.

Taiwan: While Taiwan was not explicitly mentioned during the summit, the growing tensions between China and Taiwan are likely to have been on the agenda. Russia has previously expressed support for China's position on Taiwan, and the two countries have conducted joint military exercises in the region. The summit may have served as an opportunity for the two leaders to coordinate their positions on this issue.

Strategic partnership: Putin and Xi both emphasized the strategic nature of their partnership, and pledged to deepen cooperation in a range of areas. The two countries have been building closer ties in recent years, and have described their relationship as a "comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination." This suggests that the two leaders see their partnership as a key element of their respective foreign policies, and are committed to strengthening it in the years to come.

International order: Finally, the summit highlighted the two countries' shared vision for a more multipolar world order. Putin and Xi both emphasized the importance of international law and the UN Charter, and criticized what they see as Western efforts to impose their own values on other countries. They called for a more equitable and inclusive international order, and pledged to work together to achieve this goal.

In summary, the Putin-Xi Jinping summit was an opportunity for the two leaders to strengthen their partnership and coordinate their positions on a range of issues. The summit highlighted the growing strategic importance of the Russia-China relationship, and demonstrated the potential for cooperation between the two countries in a range of areas. At the same time, it also highlighted the challenges facing the international system, and the potential for Russia and China to work together to create a more multipolar world order.