The Kremlin announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will talk via video conference on Friday.
Analysts think Xi Jinping's support for his Russian counterpart will weaken as the Russia Ukraine war continues and China struggles to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday that the two presidents would focus on bilateral ties between their nations and share views on regional concerns and their strategic alliance, according to a CNN report.
In recent years, ties between Moscow and Beijing have grown closer, with Xi and Putin saying the two nations had a "no limits" cooperation only weeks before Russia attacked Ukraine in February.
Since then, China has refrained from denouncing the assault and has instead blamed the war on NATO and the United States, remaining one of Russia's most important and steadfast allies as it becomes more and more marginalized in the world arena.
Xi Jinping Could Push Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
Nevertheless, after more than 10 months of grueling battle in the Russia Ukraine war, the globe seems quite different, and the dynamic between the two partners has changed significantly, according to analysts.
Putin's invasion failed to achieve a quick victory because of multiple tactical losses, such as a lack of basic supplies. As a result of the harsh winter, many Russian citizens are struggling financially, lowering overall morale.
On Thursday, Russia fired one of the largest missile barrages since the Russia Ukraine war started in February, shaking towns and cities throughout Ukraine and causing the deaths of three people.
Ukrainian authorities have been warning for days that Russia is planning a full-scale attack on the power infrastructure to end 2022, leaving the nation in the dark as people celebrate the New Year and the Orthodox Christmas festival, which this year falls on January 7.
According to Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the think tank Stimson, which is based in Washington, "China is eager for (the war) to end."
In addition, the expert noted that Xi Jinping will strive to highlight the importance of pursuing peace to Vladimir Putin, as he sees the moment as the right time to discuss peace as Russia becomes dissatisfied with the slow pace of military advancement in the Russia Ukraine war.
There will be a new global order established by Xi and Putin. A loss in Ukraine might be disastrous for Russia's goals.
Russia, China Continues Military Collaboration
According to Alfred Wu, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, both China and Russia are becoming more isolated due to their respective policies.
Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that China has "always been on the side of peace and the side of the UN Charter."
The Chinese official also underscored that China supports the international community's efforts to promote dialogue and establish peace, per Politico.
In a related news update, Russia's defense ministry said that after a week of joint exercises, Russia and China had successfully concluded naval operations in the East China Sea, during which they had practiced capturing an enemy submarine using depth charges and firing artillery at a cruiser.
Chinese State-run Xinhua news agency said that from December 21-27, Russia's Pacific Fleet participated in drills called "Maritime Interaction 2022" near the coasts of Zhoushan and Taizhou in China's Zhejiang Province, according to Euronews.
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