Deepened against the background of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the partnership between Russia and China worries Western countries and exacerbates “geopolitical differences” between Beijing and Washington. Such an assessment of relations between countries given in a CNN story on Feb. 21.
As the channel notes, at the current stage, Russia and China are “closer than ever.” This is highlighted, in particular, visit China’s most senior diplomat, Wang Yi, in Moscow, which took place on December 19 – the day before US President Joe Biden’s visit to Kiev.
At the same time, in the Kremlin do not exclude that Wang Yi may soon meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his upcoming visit to the Russian capital. If such a meeting took place, the photographs of Putin and Wang Yi shaking hands “would stand in stark contrast to Biden and Zelenskyy ‘s stroll through Kiev,” CNN writes. On this basis, the channel draws a conclusion on the aggravation of geopolitical differences between Washington and Beijing.
As US-China relations deteriorate, particularly over the Chinese balloon situation, and Washington steps up military aid to Ukraine, “Beijing’s deepening partnership with Moscow has raised alarm bells in capitals.” Westerners,” CNN says. “.
Although China is trying to publicly act as a peace broker in Russia’s negotiations with Ukraine, in fact Beijing is trying to ‘drive a wedge between Europe and the United States’, the channel notes. . For example, at the Munich conference, Wang Yi veiled his criticism of the United States, saying that China was “against harvesting the benefits of this [украинского] crisis,” recalls CNN.
The Chinese diplomat also pointed out that “some powers might not want peace talks to take place” because “they have more important strategic objectives than Ukraine itself.” Thus, notes CNN, Wang Yi echoed Chinese media reports that Washington is deliberately prolonging the military conflict to advance its geopolitical interests and increase the profits of US arms manufacturers.
Meanwhile, Wang Yi also told the conference that China will soon publish its proposals for a political settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. At the same time, some Western leaders are wary of such moves amid reports that China, according to intelligence services, could increase its support for Russia and start supplying arms to Moscow, CNN summarizes.
