Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday hailed China’s “willingness to play a constructive role in resolving” the conflict in Ukraine as Beijing seeks to impose itself as a mediator between Moscow and Kiev.
“We welcome China’s willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis” in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin said in an article written for a Chinese newspaper and published by the Kremlin on the eve of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia.
Vladimir Putin also praised Russian-Chinese relations, which are “at their peak” in their history.
“Russian-Chinese relations have reached the highest point in their history and continue to strengthen,” the Kremlin-published article says.
He added that the quality of ties between Moscow and Beijing “surpasses the political and military alliances of the Cold War era.”
In the article, the Russian president also said that he was grateful to China for its “balanced” position regarding “events in Ukraine”, for “understanding its background and its true causes.”
“Russia is open to resolving the Ukrainian crisis by political and diplomatic means,” the Russian leader assured.
However, he insisted on the recognition by Kiev of “new geopolitical realities”, namely the annexation last fall of four Ukrainian regions, as well as Crimea in 2014.
“Unfortunately, Russia’s ultimatums show that [os seus autores] are far from these realities and are not interested in finding a solution,” he said.
Vladimir Putin also mentioned in the article that he has “great hopes” for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
“We have high expectations for the next talks,” he said, adding that he had no doubt that they would give “a new and powerful impetus to all bilateral cooperation.”
According to Vladimir Putin, in relations between Moscow and Beijing “there are no borders, there are no taboo topics.”
“Our political dialogue is as frank as possible, and our strategic cooperation has become comprehensive and is entering a new era,” he wrote.
And he added in the article: “It is China’s relations that today are the cornerstone of regional and global stability, stimulate economic growth and serve as the key to a positive agenda in international affairs.”
The meeting with Xi Jinping, who is expected to pay a three-day visit to Moscow on Monday, will also be an opportunity to “see a good old friend” with whom he has “the warmest relationship,” the Russian president said.