Xi Jingping to be welcomed by Putin….

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin when he arrives in Moscow on Monday, three days after being charged with war crimes in Ukraine by an international tribunal (20). 

After the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president on Friday in connection with the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia since the start of the war, the Chinese President will be the first head of state to shake Putin’s hand. 

The ICC’s actions, according to the Kremlin, were absurd but illegal. 

Both Moscow and China are not ICC members.

The Kremlin added that Xi Jinping and Putin would discuss issues pertaining to the further advancement of the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China during their visit to Russia. They would also exchange opinions “in the context of deepening Russian-Chinese cooperation in the international arena”. 

‘Important’ bilateral documents will also be signed by the two leaders. 

According to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry, Qin Gang, the country’s foreign minister, spoke to his counterpart from Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, on Thursday and expressed China’s hope that “Russia and Ukraine will retain hope for dialogue and negotiation and not close the door to a political solution, no matter how difficult and challenging it may be”.