- Vladimir Putin touts plans for new gas pipeline in Siberia
- Xi Jinping meets with Russian counterpart for peace discussions
- John Kirby urges China to pressure Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, met in Moscow and signed an agreement to expand their countries' economic ties.
The Asian nation's leader came to the Russian capital for a multiday series of meetings with Putin focusing on showcasing their countries' new "friendship without limits." The two world leaders also emphasized the importance of jointly safeguarding their regions' energy security.
Xi Jinping Meets With Vladimir Putin
The Russian president also touted plans for a gas pipeline from Siberia to China before the meeting, adding that it was all but finalized. In a statement, Putin told his Chinese counterpart that they were discussing a good project: the new Power of Siberia 2 pipeline via Mongolia.
Putin noted that almost all of the parameters of that particular deal have already been finalized and are ready to begin. As per Fox News, China has steadily grown friendly with the Russian Federation in the last year since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which has harbored international scrutiny.
The Chinese leader's visit to Russia comes only days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin over war crimes in Ukraine. Despite the decision, Moscow did not recognize the court's authority and said the warrant was null and void.
On Monday, Putin alleged that the Western world was trying to conspire and stifle Beijing and Moscow by "persistently working on splitting the common Eurasian space into a network of 'exclusive clubs' and military blocs that would serve to contain our countries' development."
The Russian president on Tuesday supported Xi's proposal for a "peace settlement" in Ukraine that shows the unity between the two countries. The situation raises the possibility of a more powerful anti-Western bulwark internationally.
Peace Proposal for Russia-Ukraine War
However, their plans were roundly ignored as a severe framework for peace because while China called for ceasefire and peace talks, it had no provisions that Moscow would withdraw its military troops from Ukrainian territory. Furthermore, the plans for peace efforts were made without any involvement of Kyiv, according to CNN.
Furthermore, on Monday, the United States government warned that Xi's visit to Moscow provided "diplomatic cover" for Russia's war. There was also little indication that the two leaders' closeness at the Kremlin had affected the state of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Putin also claimed that China's proposal could be considered the basis for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine whenever the West and Ukraine are ready for it. He said all of his discussions with Xi were successful and had a friendly atmosphere.
On the other hand, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that if China wanted peace between Russia and Ukraine, it would urge Moscow to withdraw its troops from Kyiv's territories. The remarks came after Xi's proposal to end the war and Putin's reply to the particular plans said the Washington Post.
Related Article: Russia-Ukraine War Update
