Russia-China relations reach unparalleled height, as per Putin's statement to Xi.
In a series of significant meetings, global leaders have come together this week, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the forefront.
On Tuesday, Putin and Xi met in Beijing, their ties reportedly at an "unprecedented level." This gathering took place ahead of a military parade marking 80 years since the end of World War II. The leaders' discussions are believed to have focused on the strengthening of military and trade ties between the two nations, a development that has raised concerns in the West.
During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on Monday, Xi and Putin criticized Western governments, with Xi referring to "bullying behavior" from certain countries, while Putin defended Russia's Ukraine offensive and blamed the West for triggering the conflict. China has not provided open support to Russia, but many believe it has done so covertly. Beijing, however, insists it is a neutral party, regularly calling for an end to the fighting while also accusing Western countries of prolonging the conflict by arming Ukraine.
Interestingly, North Korea, unlike many of Ukraine's allies, has not denounced Russia's war. In fact, North Korea has thrown itself firmly behind Moscow, sending troops to help fight Ukraine. South Korean sources predict that Kim Jong Un, North Korea's leader, is expected to hold summits with both Putin and Xi. Kim is also expected to attend the military parade and hold talks with Xi and Putin.
Furthermore, Kim Jong Un is likely to hold future summits with Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China, as these leaders maintain close political ties. No specific dates or locations for such summits have been announced publicly.
Meanwhile, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to meet with Putin. Fico has irked European leaders by criticizing the bloc's support for Ukraine and pushing back against efforts to cut energy imports from Russia.
In other news, on Tuesday, Russian state media reported that Gazprom had struck a deal with China National Petroleum Corporation to boost gas supplies from Russia to China by about 15 percent. This expansion of trade ties between Moscow and Beijing is another indication of the growing alliance between these two major powers.
Estimates suggest that around 2,000 North Koreans have been killed in the conflict, according to Seoul's spy agency. Despite this, North Korea continues to support Russia, a fact that raises questions about the future of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Lee Seong-kweun, a South Korean member of parliament, reported that Kim will mingle with other world leaders at a gala performance. This further underscores the close relationships being forged between these global leaders.
As these alliances develop, the international community will be watching closely to understand the implications for global politics and stability.
