"First Foreign Visit Since ICC's Arrest Warrant Amidst Closer Ties with China"
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit China in October to attend the Belt and Road Forum, as stated by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. This visit holds significance as it marks Putin's first trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Consequently, he had to cancel a scheduled visit to South Africa for the BRICS summit in August, as the country is obligated to arrest him due to being a signatory of the Rome Statute.
In March, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended an invitation to Putin as a symbolic show of support following the ICC's arrest warrant. Putin's last visit to Beijing was in 2022, where he attended the Winter Olympics' opening ceremony shortly before launching the invasion of Ukraine. He also participated in the first two Belt and Road Forums held in China in 2017 and 2019.
Over the past year, China and Russia have strengthened their ties amid growing hostility with Western nations. During Putin's visit to Beijing in 2022, President Xi Jinping declared an all-encompassing partnership, solidifying their cooperation in economic, trade, political, and military spheres.
Notably, China has refrained from condemning Russia for its actions in Ukraine and has instead criticized Western countries for imposing sanctions on Moscow. As Western nations implemented an embargo on Russian oil, China emerged as a major buyer, securing oil and gas at discounted prices, alongside India. Additionally, Russia has been increasingly using the yuan as a reserve currency, reducing its reliance on the US dollar.
The upcoming visit to China reaffirms the strengthening bond between Russia and China, signaling their alignment in the face of Western pressures. It also serves as a demonstration of support from China towards Russia amid the ICC's allegations against President Putin. The Belt and Road Forum in October will provide a platform for further enhancing their collaboration and exploring mutual interests in various fields.
Also Read: Al-Hilal's Record-Breaking Bid and PSG Contract Saga (arthparkash.com)
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash