Putin And Xi Solidify 'No-Limit' Partnership In Two-Day China Visit, Amid Russia's New Offensive In Northeast Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their 'no-limit' partnership as Putin arrived in China on Thursday (16 May) for a two-day state visit.

This is the first foreign trip of Putin after he was elected as the President of Russia for an unprecedented fifth time.

This comes as the frontlines in Ukraine have finally started to move, with Russian forces beginning a new offensive last week in the northeastern part of Ukraine, close to Kharkhiv, its second-largest city. According to reports, the Russian forces met little resistance from Ukrainian defenders as they captured multiple small villages and towns.

Putin is expected to seek more support from China, which has largely been neutral in the war but has voiced concerns that many say align with the Kremlin's point of view.

China is providing Russia with several key components, including microelectronics and machine tools, that allow Russia to produce missiles, tanks, and aircraft to continue its war in Ukraine.

In the 7,000-word joint statement, China and Russia aimed at the United States, taking an opposing view on a host of international issues including Taiwan and North Korea.

They criticised US foreign policy, targeting US-led alliances aimed at China and Russia.

The statement said, "China and Russia intend to increase interaction and tighten coordination in order to counter Washington’s destructive and hostile course towards the so-called ‘dual containment’ of our countries."

The statement also hit out at the US attempts to change the military balance, hinting at the deployment of ballistic missile defence systems in various parts of the world apart from the deployment of the Typhoon system (which has the capability to fire long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles).

Both countries also vowed to widen economic engagement, which has become the lifeline for Russia after the West cut off economic ties and imposed sanctions on Russian oil and commodities.

Their trade has recorded a huge jump following the start of the Ukraine-Russia war.

Russia and China also pledged to strengthen military ties and increase the level of joint military exercises between the militaries of both countries.