Headline RoundupMarch 22nd, 2023

Putin and Xi Conclude Talks In Moscow, Drawing Western Criticism

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Moscow this week, drawing criticism from the West.

The Details: The two leaders met this week in the Russian capital amid what Putin says are historically high levels of Russian-Chinese relations. The two promoted a multipolar world, and discussed concerns over NATO’s support of Ukraine, and Asia-Pacific countries. The two also agreed to build stronger economic ties, especially in energy. Xi also invited Putin to visit Beijing later this year.

For Context: The visit comes about a month after China proposed a 12-point peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine, a document that was scrutinized by the West. Just last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest over the evacuation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Western Criticism: U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, dismissed Xi’s visit as providing "diplomatic cover" for the "atrocities" that Russia is committing in Ukraine. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called the meeting a “three-day bro-fest celebrating authoritarian power”.

How The Media Covered It: Many media outlets highlighted that the leaders referred to each other as “dear friends”, and that Moscow is realistically the junior partner to Beijing in such a partnership.

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