20-9-2023 (MOSCOW) Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to embark on a journey to Beijing in October for discussions with China’s President Xi Jinping. This visit marks Putin’s first known trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him.
Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, emphasized that Western attempts to contain both Russia and China should serve as a catalyst for deeper cooperation between these two influential nations.
“At the upcoming meeting in October, we anticipate in-depth bilateral discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing,” stated Patrushev during a meeting in Moscow with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi.
Putin’s visit to Beijing will include participation in the third Belt and Road Forum, following an invitation extended by Xi during a significant visit to Moscow in March.
It’s worth noting that just days before Xi’s visit to Moscow, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Putin, accusing him of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine—a claim vehemently denied by Moscow.
The Kremlin has characterized this warrant as a manifestation of the West’s hostility towards Russia, prompting Russia to initiate a criminal case against the ICC prosecutor and judges responsible for the warrant.
Patrushev, a close ally of Putin, reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, emphasizing the “progressive development and strengthening of Russian-Chinese relations” and highlighting their “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.”
