JRL NEWSWATCH: “‘China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin to Strengthen Economic, Political Ties” – WSJ
“War in Ukraine looms over Chinese leader’s visit, while the West worries about a more-powerful Russia-China axis.”
“[] Xi came into the trip — the 40th meeting between the two leaders — seeking to cast himself as a potential peacemaker in the Ukraine war, even as [] Putin demonstrates his determination to carry on the fighting. … Xi’s high-profile visit to Moscow is being closely watched by Western powers worried that a stronger Russia-China axis could stir greater antagonism with the U.S. and its allies. … China has provided an economic lifeline to Russia, buying oil and natural gas … help[ing] [] Putin endure … sanctions. It has also sold Russia microchips and other technology that can be used for military purposes, but so far [reportedly] doesn’t appear to have provided lethal weapons …. [A] 12-point position paper China released on the Ukraine war … largely left the knottiest problems unaddressed and stuck to earlier Chinese positions, including arguments seen as supporting Russia ….”