Xi Jinping snubbed at the airport as he meets ‘dear friend’ Vladimir Putin in Russia

Xi Jinping has landed in Russia’s capital, showing crucial support for Vladimir Putin - though he could have been greeted more warmly.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to the Kremlin for diplomatic talks, promising to consider China’s “suggestions” for resolving the war in Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, drawing international condemnation, and has since struggled to overcome determined Ukrainian resistance. In that time, Xi has remained one of Putin’s few allies on the world stage.

He is the first global leader to meet with Putin since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian President on Friday.

“China and Russia are good neighbours and reliable partners,” Xi said after landing at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow at about 1pm on Monday, local time.

Putin did not deign to meet Xi at the airport himself, instead dispatching Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Chernyshenko, to escort the Chinese leader.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arriving at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. Picture: Anatoliy Zhdanov/Kommersant/AFP

Xi Jinping walking past honour guards during a welcoming ceremony at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. Picture: Anatoliy Zhdanov/Kommersant/AFP

Xi’s words that may worry West

Putin instead met Xi at the Kremlin itself, where they exchanged diplomatic niceties in front of the cameras before the first of several meetings over a three-day period.

Each man referred to the other as a “dear friend”.

“I know that, next year, there will be another presidential election in your country. Thanks to your strong leadership, Russia has made significant progress in achieving the prosperity of the country in recent years,” Xi said.

“I am sure the Russian people will strongly support you in your good endeavours.”

Xi added that China and Russia share “similar goals,” which is phase that may worry the West.

“It is true that both of our countries share the same, or some similar goals. We have exerted efforts for the prosperity of our respective countries. We can co-operate and work together to achieve our goals”.

Putin, for his part, said he welcomed and respected China’s proposals for resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

He complimented Xi for taking “a fair and balanced view of the majority of international issues”, and said there would be “an opportunity to discuss” Ukraine during his trip.

“You know we are always ready for negotiating, and we will discuss all those questions, including your suggestions,” Putin said.

Xi and Putin shake hands for the cameras. Picture: Kremlin

Xi addressing his remarks to the Russian President. Picture: Kremlin

An expressionless Putin listens. Picture: Kremlin

China has sought to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukrainian conflict, but the United States has accused it of considering arms exports to Moscow – claims China has vociferously denied.

Xi’s three-day trip also serves as a show of support for the internationally isolated Putin, days after the ICC’s war crimes tribunal issued a warrant for his arrest over the accusation that he’s overseen the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

“One way or another, issues raised in (Beijing’s) plan for Ukraine will be touched upon during the negotiations. Comprehensive explanations will be given by President Putin” of the Russian position, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters ahead of the visit.

Putin has welcomed China’s statements on Ukraine as being indicative of a willingness to play a “constructive role” in ending the conflict, while claiming Chinese-Russian relations remain “at the highest point”.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has reiterated its demand that Russia withdraw its forces from the country.

“The formula for the successful implementation of China’s ‘Peace Plan’. The first and foremost point is the surrender or withdrawal of Russian occupation forces from (Ukrainian territory) in accordance with international law and the UN Charter,” the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, wrote on Twitter.

Xi’s three-day trip also serves as a show of support for internationally isolated Putin, just days after a war-crimes tribunal issued a warrant for his arrest over accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.

A day before Xi’s arrival, a defiant Putin went to the Russian-held Ukrainian city of Mariupol – his first visit to occupied Ukrainian territory since Moscow’s forces pushed across the border in February of last year.

Beijing said on Monday the ICC should avoid what it called “politicisation and double standards”, and respect the principle of immunity for heads of state.

The court should “uphold an objective and impartial stance” and “respect the immunity of heads of state from jurisdiction under international law”, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular briefing.

The solution to the Ukraine conflict, he added, remained “dialogue and negotiation”.

Neither China nor Russia is a signatory to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC.

Xi, who broke longstanding precedent to begin a third term as President this month, has referred to Putin as an “old friend”.

Beijing and Moscow have drawn closer in recent years under a “no limits” partnership that has served as a diplomatic bulwark against the West.

China has lambasted what it sees as a US-led campaign of pressure against Russia as Moscow’s campaign in Ukraine drags on, instead calling for what it calls “impartial” mediation of the conflict.

“No single country should dictate the international order,” Xi wrote in a Russian media article on Monday.

“China has all along upheld an objective and impartial position based on the merits of the issue, and actively promoted peace talks,” he added.

Beijing’s stance has drawn criticism from Western nations, which say China is providing diplomatic cover for Moscow’s invasion.

Xi, who broke longstanding precedent to begin a third term as president this month, has referred to Putin as an ‘old friend’.

They argue that China’s proposals are heavy on grand principles but light on practical solutions.

The United States last week said China’s proposals would simply consolidate “Russian conquest” and allow the Kremlin to prepare a fresh offensive.

“We don’t support calls for a ceasefire right now,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Friday.

“We certainly don’t support calls for a ceasefire that would be called for by the PRC in a meeting in Moscow that would simply benefit Russia,” he said, referring to the People’s Republic of China, the country’s official name.

Analysts say Xi’s moves are unlikely to yield a rapprochement in the Ukraine fighting.

Nevertheless, his trip will be closely watched in Western capitals.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Xi could also be planning his first call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since the conflict began.

Mr Zelensky has said he would welcome talks with his Chinese counterpart.

Xi and Putin are set to have an “informal” one-on-one meeting and dinner on Monday before negotiations on Tuesday, Putin’s top foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told Russian news agencies.

- with AFP