(by Massimiliano D'Elia) In the end what we have always avoided is happening. Probably or inevitably we have favored theChina's rapprochement with Russia, with unpredictable consequences for the West, with a bitter taste for the future of the economy and for the growth of tensions in the military field. The meeting in Moscow between Vladimir Putin e Xi Jinping effectively sanctions the establishment of a new multilateral world order, “changing” and very, very fluid. China and all of Asia are assuming an increasingly beefy new posture, in the face of an increasingly US-driven West with an irrelevant and little deterrent European Union and with organizations such as NATO and the UN no longer current and suited to modern challenges . In a context of general uncertainty with European countries grappling with difficult internal problems due to the consequences of the pandemic and the inflationary pressures of the economy, there is China which takes advantage of it by moving important pawns on the international chessboard.
The aspect that should most worry the West is the intention of the Sino-Russian axis to bring the entire African continent back into their sphere of influence, also winking at the emerging countries of Latin America. Areas of the globe, notoriously rich in strategic resources (hydrocarbons, gold, platinum, uranium and rare earths) and above all rich in a decisive element for guaranteed development: a young population, very young indeed, which ensures unlimited future possibilities.
The Moscow meeting
At the end of the talks Xi Jinping said that "China "favors peace and dialogue for the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine".
"As regards being able to regulate the Ukrainian crisis, we try to use the principles of the UN Charter, our position wants to contribute to the negotiation process, our position is based on truth and substance, we are for peace and dialogue, we are faithful to history”Xi said. Furthermore, from Beijing, the spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry, Hua Chunying, explained that Xi and Putin have signed a joint declaration "on deepening the two countries' comprehensive strategic coordination partnership for the new era", emphasizing that thehe Ukrainian crisis "should be resolved through peace talks".
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After two hours of closed-door talks Putin told the press that there was “a frank and substantial exchange of views”.
Xi told the press that relations between China and Russia show “a healthy dynamic of development”, adding that they want to "strengthen coordination" between Beijing and Moscow. “The scope of the areas of our cooperation is constantly expanding. Previously, we have achieved remarkable achievements, and the further development of cooperation is being implemented successfully”, explained the Chinese president.
Putin also announced that inter-trade between Russia and China will exceed $200 billion this year, after already hitting a record in 2022, despite the pandemic and sanctions. Between Russia and China, he announced, "practically all the parameters" for the construction of the gas pipeline have been agreed Strength of Siberia 2 for the export of Russian gas to China, which will add to the strength of the Siberia 1, already working.
Russia, underlined the Russian president, is ready to support Chinese companies that want to replace Western ones that have left the country and also wants "use the Chinese yuan in payments with countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America". "I'm sure Putin explained. that these forms of payment will be developed between Russia and partners and colleagues from third countries”.
After Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia, Beijing's contacts with Moscow will help bring about peace. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wen Bin said that "Russia has carefully studied China's position paper on the political settlement of the crisis in Ukraine and is open to peace talks“. President Vladimir Putin reported that “theRussia appreciates China's consistent stance of advocating fairness, objectivity and balance on major international issues. China will continue to make Sino-Russian relations a priority."
On the criticisms of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the diplomatic cover given by Beijing to Moscow, Wang stressed that China "it is neither the originator nor part of the crisis in Ukraine, nor has it supplied arms to either side of the conflict. The US is not qualified to point the finger at China, let alone blame it.", he added. Furthermore, "they say they want to keep the peace, but people don't see any real steps, while what everyone sees is the US continuing to deliver weapons to the battlefield."
Zelensky's reaction and the Chinese peace proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had "invited" China to dialogue and was "waiting for an answer," while his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping is in Moscow to seal his alliance with Vladimir Putin. “We have offered China to become a partner in implementing the peace formula. We broadcast our formula on all channels. We invite you to dialogue. We await your response,” Zelensky said at a news conference, adding that he was “receiving signals, but nothing concrete” at this stage.
On the Chinese peace proposal, Putin said: “We look with interest at your proposals to resolve the crisis in Ukraine”. "We are open to negotiations", he added, stressing, however, that any solution must take into account the principle of the "indivisibility of security for all countries"
"The first and main clause” of a peace agreement must be “the surrender or withdrawal of the Russian occupation forces”, stressed the secretary of the Security Council Oleksiy Danilov. The position expressed by the Foreign Ministry spokesman, Oleg Nikolenko, is more diplomatic, in respect of his own role. “Ukraine - he assured - is closely following the visit of the Chinese president to Russia. We expect Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to get it to end the war."
Multilateralism
The Chinese president stated in the press that China shares Russia's belief that it is necessary to build a multipolar world, because "no country is superior to the others, no model of government is universal and no single country should dictate the international order".
US aversion to the talks in Moscow
The US is lapidary about the talks in Moscow. The world must not be fooled by any tactical moves by Russia backed by China, the secretary of state warned Antony blinken reiterating the importance of open lines of communication with Beijing. “Xi and Biden will talk when the time comes.", the White House then added, hoping that after the meeting with the tsar, the Chinese president should also speak with Zelensky "to get his point of view. The head of US diplomacy then stigmatizes the fact that Xi confirmed his visit even after the arrest warrant for Putin from the International Criminal Court (ICC), thus demonstrating his belief that the Russian leader should not answer for the atrocities in Ukraine. A mandate, among other things, to which Moscow responded by opening a criminal investigation against the prosecutor of the same CPI, Karim Khan, for his decision judged "illegal". Putin shows confidence in China's support, with which, he stated in an article in the People's Daily, Russia fights against "common threats".