Russia talks 'a great risk for China' as Xi and Putin meet in Samarkand
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are meeting in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan this week, an event that will be watched closely across Central Asia, in European capitals and Washington DC.
The Kremlin has already hailed the importance of the planned meeting, which will be held on the margins of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit on Thursday, noting that it's particularly important amid tensions with the West.
“The meeting has a special significance in view of the current international situation,” Putin's foreign affairs adviser told reporters, saying the two leaders will discuss the international situation, along with regional issues and bilateral cooperation.
China has pointedly refused to criticise Russia’s action in Ukraine and denounced Western sanctions against Moscow. Russia, in turn, has strongly backed China amid tensions with the US that followed a recent visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“China has taken a well-balanced approach to the Ukrainian crisis, clearly expressing its understanding of the reasons that prompted Russia to launch the special military operation,” the Russian adviser said, referencing Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and ongoing war.
The benefits for Russia are self-evident: Vladimir Putin clearly gains by being seen on the world stage with other leaders and will have an important handshake moment with Xi.
The Russians have also been hoping to find a way through international sanctions which have hit their economy hard and establish new markets for Russian products, or source new suppliers for items they can no longer import from the EU.
Regionally, being seen as an important player in Central Asia is something
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