Xi Jinping embarks on his historic trip to Moscow to strengthen the strategic alliance with Putin

Spring 2023 marked a pivotal moment in international relations when Xi Jinping became the most prominent world leader to visit Moscow after the invasion of Ukraine. During his three-day official trip in early March, the Chinese president held meetings that clearly demonstrated solidarity with Putin and reaffirmed the ties between Beijing and Moscow, precisely when the Western community was seeking to diplomatically isolate the Kremlin.

An alliance that transcends international controversy

Xi Jinping’s tour was not merely symbolic. Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the meeting as “a journey to deepen mutual trust between sister nations.” During the meetings, both leaders aimed to explore China’s ambitious 12-point plan for resolving the Ukrainian conflict, an initiative that was rejected in the West, although Kyiv showed a more receptive attitude by seeking high-level dialogues with Beijing simultaneously.

Putin invites and Kremlin confirms: the geopolitical significance

Putin himself extended the invitation to Xi Jinping, and the Kremlin confirmed that the meeting would allow discussions on “the development of a limitless strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.” According to official statements, various bilateral agreements focused on deepening Russia-China cooperation on the international stage were signed, though specific details of these diplomatic instruments were not provided.

This meeting gained particular relevance considering it was an opportunity for Xi Jinping to solidify his image as a global diplomatic actor. Just weeks earlier, China had successfully mediated the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, demonstrating negotiation skills that positioned it as a potential neutral arbiter in international conflicts.

Xi Jinping’s diplomatic balancing act

The visit presents a significant strategic challenge for the Chinese leader. On one hand, he seeks to maintain the appearance of an impartial mediator capable of negotiating solutions; on the other, he needs to preserve the deep partnership with Putin without appearing to exploit Russian vulnerability. Joseph Torigian, a professor specializing in Chinese and Russian politics, notes that “Russia’s economic isolation has selectively benefited China’s economy, raising questions about whether Xi will push for even more advantageous agreements or prevent Moscow from perceiving exploitation of its position.”

The historical context is illuminating: Xi Jinping last visited Moscow in mid-2019, while Putin was in Beijing in February 2022 for the Winter Olympics inauguration, during which both leaders proclaimed a “limitless” friendship and solidified long-term energy agreements. Later, in September 2022, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, Putin publicly acknowledged Beijing’s “concerns” regarding his military operation in Ukraine, a rare admission of fissures within the diplomatic alliance.

At the same time, Xi Jinping planned to host Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after his return, while preparing for a video conference with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, demonstrating his intention to maintain multiple channels of dialogue. Foreign Minister Qin Gang had recently contacted his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba to discuss bilateral relations and the invasion, reflecting the complex diplomatic architecture Beijing was building to position itself as an indispensable interlocutor in the global geopolitical crisis.