China recently backed a UN resolution against Russian aggression. This scoop is not well received in Russia and the radical nationalist angle in particular speaks strongly about it. There has long been a sense of discontent among Russians that Chinese President Xi Jinping recently spoke on the phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodimir Zelensky.
Weapon deliveries
“Russians see it as talking to the enemy,” Bosman says. “Furthermore, Putin has long wanted more support from China.” According to the correspondent from Russia, this concerns not only economic support, but also assistance in the form of arms deliveries. ‘As far as we know, China is still not providing it. China is hesitant about sanctions.’
“China hasn’t given up on arms deliveries so far”
Bosman says China’s fear of Western reprisals goes in the wrong direction with the Russians. Especially since President Xi Jinping visited Putin in Moscow last month. Putin said after that visit that there is boundless friendship between the two countries. But China has not given up so far when it comes to arms deliveries,” the Russia correspondent explains.
Parents day
In retrospect, the summit between Xi and Putin is not a resounding success, according to Bosman. China also refuses to sign a contract for a new gas pipeline. Moscow pretends the meeting was a great success, but it turns out it wasn’t.’
“China is the big boss when it comes to both countries”
According to the correspondent from Russia, China will always be the winning side in this political tug-of-war. “Putin can only ask Xi to supply the weapons. China is the parent when it comes to both countries. So as long as Xi doesn’t want to supply weapons, Putin can’t do anything but beg,” Bosman says.