China is skillful and cunning in its diplomacy: what will the meeting between Xi and Putin be like?

Vladimir Putin plans to time to visit China on a diplomatic visit. Xi Jinping's rhetoric may change somewhat in cooperation with Russia, given his recent tour of Europe. However, China invariably views Russia as a resource base for enriching its economy.

Told about this 24 Channelchief consultant of the Ukrainian Institute for Strategic Studies Alina Gritsenko, noting that China in any case promotes only its own interests. Typically, Xi Jinping tells Europeans, Americans or Russians what the representative of each of these countries would like to hear.

“China is skillful and cunning in its diplomacy. Xi Jinping does not resort to some kind of radical rhetoric,” she said.

What to expect from the meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin

Gritsenko believes that it is important for Putin to demonstrate that China is the most significant partner and ally for Russia. This will be his first trip abroad, after another “victory” in the elections.

I would not expect ultimatums or blackmail from Xi Jinping in side of Russia. His meeting with Putin will most likely be held in a pleasant tone. After all, this will be a return visit after Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow in March 2023,” she noted.

China needs to have stable trade and economic ties with the European Union. Macron made it clear that Europe wants to see limits on cooperation between China and Russia.

China will not just undermine relations with Russia, because Russia is an important geopolitical, security and ideological asset for China. But, perhaps, from time to time we will read news about restrictions on exports and the termination of cooperation of Chinese banks with Russian clients,” noted Alina Gritsenko.

Such a strategy, in her opinion, will be aimed to demonstrate to Europe that China is fulfilling their wishes, but in return may also demand something useful for itself. For example, lifting certain sanctions from their companies or permission to fill the European market with Chinese electric cars.

China is uncomfortable with secondary sanctions from the United States of America, because there are more and more of them. Competition between China and the United States is intensifying. Their relations may deteriorate.

It is important for Xi Jinping to maintain ties with the European Union, because the Chinese economy depends on trade with Europe and the United States. and not from cooperation with Russia. China uses Russia as a resource base, in particular petroleum products, energy and timber,” emphasized Alina Gritsenko.

She also added that China’s influence on Russia continues to grow, but not yet to such a scale as to dictate its own conditions or future political decisions in Russia.

Xi Jinping’s visit to Europe: the main thing

• Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on May 5, beginning his European tour. He met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed support for Emmanuel Macron's idea of ​​a truce in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip and Sudan, which is planned for during the Olympic Games in Paris. This was announced by the French leader himself during a conversation with reporters after a meeting with Xi Jinping on May 7. In addition, China has pledged not to provide Russia with any military support.
• The Chinese leader noted that his country expresses a desire to “cooperate with France and the international community” in the context of ending the war in Ukraine . He expressed “openness” in addressing Russian aggression, but described the war itself as a Russian-initiated “crisis resolution.”