The news agency noted that despite public declarations of partnership, tensions persist between Moscow and Beijing. Russia grows increasingly reliant on Chinese energy purchases and supplies of Chinese components to continue the war against Ukraine.
There is also distrust between the two countries’ security services, and Russia is even investigating at least one case of alleged espionage by China, according to Western officials.
The Washington Post emphasized that Putin hoped to use the visit to finalize the Power of Siberia 2 project, but the parties did not announce any specific launch dates. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow and Beijing had only broadly agreed on the route and how the pipeline would be built, while other details still need to be finalized.
“In fact, the president said during the talks that there is already a general understanding of the main parameters of Power of Siberia 2,” he said.
Analysts noted that Russia is increasingly concerned by China’s role as a major supplier of components for Ukraine’s drone industry, which has significantly increased production over the past year.
Despite the lack of agreement on a new gas pipeline, Putin and Xi Jinping demonstrated political unity and criticized the United States, WP added. In particular, the news outlet noted that Xi Jinping spoke of the threat of “unilateral hegemony” and the world facing the risk of regressing to “the law of the jungle,” calling for stability in the Middle East to protect global trade and energy security.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on May 19 for a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Later that day, Bloomberg reported that Putin was planning on discussing an energy partnership with China during, particularly the Power of Siberia 2 project. The Kremlin hoped that instability in the global energy market could make Beijing more pliant during negotiations.
Putin and Xi were expected to hold talks on bilateral relations and international issues on May 20. Putin arrived at Tiananmen Square, which had been decorated with Chinese and Russian symbols. He was greeted by a military band, the Chinese military honor guard, and children carrying flags of both countries.