Putin – Xi: Russia will fight in Ukraine for at least five years

According to Nikkei Asia, in the spring, Vladimir Putin told Xi Jinping that the war in Ukraine would end no earlier than in five years. These words can be understood as a statement that a protracted war is beneficial to the Russian Federation, which will emerge victorious.

Analysis: Putin promises Xi to 'fight for five years' in Ukrainehttps://t.co/pkzs0DaQHK

— Nikkei Asia (@NikkeiAsia) December 27, 2023

According to the publication, this remark was a proposal to Xi not to change his pro-Russian position during this period, as well as a way to assure Beijing that Russia would still emerge victorious from the conflict.

The publication also writes about the connection of this statement with subsequent events – the resignation of the Chinese Foreign Minister and the sending of a special representative for a peace settlement, Li Hui, by Xi Jinping to Ukraine, Europe and Russia.

Note that there was no other confirmation of the Nikkei Asia information. At the aforementioned meeting in March in the Kremlin, Putin publicly generally supported China’s peace plan, which included an early ceasefire along the front line.

Nikkei: Moscow’s readiness for a ceasefire should not be taken at face value. IN In connection with information about Putin’s statement about his readiness to “fight for five years,” the Nikkei Asia article voices several theses.

– First – a columnist for a Japanese publication believes that, given Putin’s words to Xi Jinping at the March summit, which were reported by a number of sources familiar with diplomatic maneuvers between China and Russia, reports of Moscow’s desire for a ceasefire should not be taken at face value: perhaps the Russian leader wants to create the illusion that he is moving towards peace ahead of the presidential elections, believing that such an atmosphere will favor him during the vote.

– Second – Japan should consider reconsidering its traditionally cautious approach to arms exports, expanding them in light of Putin’s “five-year” military plans.

Source link