XI Jinping praised his “everlasting friendship” with Vladimir Putin as he rolled out the red carpet in China for the tyrant.
The Russian president has jetted to Beijing for a two-day visit for a chilling summit with his Chinese counterpart as he pushes forward a new offensive in Ukraine.
EPAVladimir Putin and Xi Jinping shake hands as they meet for a summit[/caption]
EPAThe Chinese tyrant rolled out the red carpet for his Russian counterpart[/caption]
APPutin was greeted by Xi with full military honours at the Great Hall of the People[/caption]
Putin, 71, and Xi, 70, declared a “no limits” relationship in 2022 – just days before the dictator invaded Ukraine.
He has continued to cosy up to Xi and cling to China as an ally after being stung by hundreds of sanctions from the West over his illegal war.
Putin has used Xi as a lifeline, with Russia becoming increasingly economically dependent on China as Western sanctions cut its access to much of the international trading system.
Following his dawn arrival, Putin was greeted by Xi with full military honours at the Great Hall of the People.
The pair were pictured strutting along a red carpet on what marks Putin’s first international visit since he began his unprecedented fifth presidential term following a sham election.
Xi said the two countries were furthering their relationship as good neighbours, good friends, and good partners, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
His remarks came as a haunting echo of their commitment to the “no limits” relationship they signed in 2022.
Xi today hailed the “75 years of persistent accumulation of ever-lasting friendship and all-round cooperation” between Russia and China.
In talks described as “warm and comradely” by Putin, the pair also signed a joint statement confirming they will deepen the strategic partnership of the two countries
It comes as China has been slammed for its support of Putin’s war as the dictator oversees a fresh brutal offensive in Kharkiv.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called out Beijing for supplying Moscow with nonlethal aid.
He said when he visited Beijing, he saw that the “overwhelming majority” of machine tools and microelectronic chips for Russia come from Chinese sources.
On the eve of the visit, Putin said in an interview with Chinese media that the Kremlin is prepared to negotiate over the conflict in Ukraine.
He talked up his supposed wish for a “peaceful” solution in Ukraine – despite launching a fresh offensive in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.
More than half a million Russian troops have swarmed the frontline in the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began, forcing almost 8,000 people to flee their homes.
During talks today, Xi said China and Russia had agreed on a “political solution” to the war in Ukraine.
He said “China’s position on this issue has been clear and consistent, including adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
“China hopes to see the early restoration of peace and stability in Europe.”
China last year offered a broad plan for peace outlining general principles for ending the war in Ukraine.
Xi didn’t offer new specifics on how Beijing might be prepared to engage with both sides of the conflict.
Putin said he would inform the Chinese leader in detail about the situation in Ukraine and said: “We are grateful for the initiative of our Chinese colleagues and friends to regulate the situation.”
China claims to have a neutral position in the war – but has back Moscow’s contentions that Russia was provoked into attacking Ukraine by the West.
Putin has blamed the West for the failure of negotiations in the opening weeks of the war and praised China’s peace plan for Ukraine that would allow Moscow to cement its territorial gains.
Latest on the war in Ukraine
RUSSIA has amassed half a million troops and tanks and launched a major new ground offensive on northeastern Ukraine on Friday, seizing miles on ground quickly.
The blitz, said to be the first stage of Russia’s summer offensive, is designed to stretch Ukraine’s already outnumbered defenders.
Moscow has claimed its forces had pushed deeper into the Kharkiv region and captured the symbolic town of Robotyne – one of the only prizes of Ukraine’s muted summer counteroffensive.
Kyiv said the Russian push appeared to have run out of steam last night — but, in the face of Putin’s 500,000-strong force, warned that could change quickly.
It also said Russia has suffered record losses with 1,740 reportedly killed in a single day over the weekend as its troops are thrown into the meatgrinder assaults.
UK defence secretary Grant Shapps said the world is taking its “eye off the ball” after the recent Russian attacks.
Thousands of Ukrainian people have also fled their homes to escape Russia’s aerial bombardment.
As children have been seen going to school in underground, missile proof bunkers in the heart of war-torn Ukraine.
Russia stepped up attacks on Kharkiv region in March targeting energy infrastructure and settlements with constant airstrikes in what analysts predicted were preparations for a new offensive.
The city of Kharkiv, located on the eastern front only 30 miles from the Russian border, was the prime target of Russia’s aerial bombardment.
Its mayor had warned the West that it risked being turned into a “second Aleppo” – the Syrian city which heavy Russian bombing helped to decimate a decade ago.