Putin/Xi Jinping Summit: Day 2 – The Real Work Starts

The Chinese are generally excited about the Xi Jinping / Putin summit.

President Xi met with Russian Prime Minister Mishustin. President Xi underscored the good momentum of all-round practical cooperation between China and Russia and expressed his hope for reaching new goals in bilateral cooperation through institutionalized channels of exchanges. pic.twitter.com/5eAcLaXrDt

— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) March 21, 2023

As this day of work starts, the US is still shooting blanks. The issue is the peace plan. Before we look at three comments, just imagine for a moment, put the shoes on of a US diplomat. There is this iconic summit, and they are not there, they are not welcome, they have not been consulted, and the shape of things to come globally will be decided there. I think they are all drinking too much currently because they must (and the signs are clear in their media) accept now that they are an also-ran. They have no way forward, and no way back. It is now a decision for them: war, which they are not capable of waging, or defeat, which they are not capable of accepting.

This is all they have and it is ludicrous and a lie: “On Monday, Blinken, commenting on Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia, pointed out that the Chinese leader headed to Moscow “days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin”. According to the US top diplomat, China “feels no responsibility” and “provides diplomatic cover for Russia”.

Imagine being in that position, and then the quick and devastating response from the quick and nimble Chinese foreign office in one sentence: “US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is not competent to criticize Chinese President Xi Jinping for his visit to Russia – Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin”

The US and the overlords of NATO are in a corner, they’ve been firmly placed in a box. It cannot be otherwise. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed China’s plan for the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine when they met one-on-one on Monday. “That they have discussed it is obvious because they said they would,” the spokesman said. When asked if there’s any progress with that issue, Peskov said, “I won’t make any assessments. Let’s wait for the statements [by the leaders] for the news media [following the talks on Tuesday].”

The love fest continues (these are summaries):

China’s President Xi Jinping’s statements at the meeting with Mistushin

Xi Jinping said that he has officially invited Russian President Putin to visit China this year. The Russian Federation was chosen as the first country of the visit, as it corresponds to historical logic. We are major powers and strategic partners. I am glad to meet Mishustin; because of the pandemic, visits were impossible for some years. Xi Jinping invited Misha to visit China as soon as possible to establish close ties.

Prime Minister Mishustin’s main statements at the meeting with Xi Jinping

Russia and China are preparing new projects that will significantly increase transportation along the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Asian routes. The governments of the Russian Federation and China will ensure coordinated work on the implementation of the agreements that will be reached today at the highest level. Despite sanctions and turbulence in global markets, trade and economic cooperation between Russia and China are developing successfully. Moscow is sincerely interested in further strengthening the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction with Beijing. The expansion of innovative cooperation will strengthen the technological sovereignty of the Russian Federation and China. Russia and China will increase their trade turnover to $200 billion in 2023.

More to come … as it happens. In the background, The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, who was urgently sent to Ukraine in opposition to Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow, arrived in Kiev. During the talks, the Prime Minister will express strong disagreement with the actions of Russia. Kishida will inform President Zelensky that Japan, as chairman of the G7, will seek the further imposition of tough sanctions against Russia.” (Of course, the counter comment here is that the G7 is losing its relevance and we are all NOT trembling in our boots).

• Currently Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are still talking in narrow format at the Grand Kremlin Palace. “We agreed that the press will make a photo shoot and we will satisfy their curiosity, and then we will continue in closed mode,” the Russian president said.  (Beautiful pomp and circumstance this morning).
• The heads of state and delegations went to St. Catherine’s Hall for talks in a narrow format, and the meeting began behind closed doors.
• The extended talks will be held later in the Alexander Hall, followed by a document signing ceremony in the Malachite Lobby. The leaders will also make a joint statement.

Putin, Xi holding talks with delegation members

There is of course plenty of fun around the place. This from Venezuela as far as I can trace it.

First video of agreements. It’s live stream – Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.

If there are problems with this view, Sputnik has a good video as well:  https://sputniknews.com/20230321/putin-xi-hold-joint-press-conference-1108629920.html

Formal Chinese Transcript (the Russian one should be out soon)

President Xi Jinping Holds Large-group Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin