Putin Criticizes Western Sanctions as ‘Discriminatory’ and Suggests Strengthening Ties with China Before Upcoming Visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced strong criticism of Western sanctions, attributing the economic downturn in Russia to these trade restrictions and the ongoing costs of the Ukraine conflict. Ahead of his four-day visit to China, Putin emphasized the partnership between Russia and China, highlighting their mutual rejection of what he termed “discriminatory” measures in global trade. His visit, described by the Kremlin as “unprecedented,” includes participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Putin’s Visit to China
Putin’s trip to China is set to take place from Sunday to Wednesday, during which he will attend a two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin. Following the summit, he will travel to Beijing for discussions with President Xi Jinping. The visit also includes participation in a military parade commemorating the end of World War Two in Asia. This trip follows Xi’s visit to Moscow in May, where he attended a military parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. This marks Xi’s 11th visit to Russia since he took office.
Impact of Sanctions on Russia’s Economy
Putin’s remarks come in the context of ongoing Western sanctions imposed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He has pointed out that these sanctions have significantly impacted the Russian economy, pushing it into recession. The U.S. has warned of further sanctions unless peace talks progress. Despite these challenges, Putin praised the strengthening of economic ties between Russia and China, stating that cooperation in trade and industry is advancing across various sectors. He expressed optimism about discussing new avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration during his visit.
Growing Trade Relations with China
Trade between Russia and China has reached unprecedented levels, hitting a record $245 billion in 2024. This surge is attributed to China’s increased purchases of Russian oil and the expansion of goods sales following the withdrawal of Western countries from economic engagements with Moscow. Putin highlighted the recent introduction of pork and beef exports to China, noting that agricultural products now play a significant role in Russia’s exports. He also mentioned that transactions between the two nations are increasingly being conducted in rubles and yuan, reinforcing Russia’s position as a key supplier of oil and gas to China.
Strategic Partnership Amid Global Tensions
The relationship between Russia and China has been characterized by a “no limits” partnership declared in 2022. Over the past decade, Putin and Xi have met more than 40 times, underscoring the depth of their diplomatic ties. While Putin did not address allegations from the European Union regarding China’s support for Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, he emphasized the importance of their economic collaboration. His last visit to China occurred in 2024, shortly after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for him related to the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. This ongoing partnership reflects a strategic alignment between the two nations amid increasing global tensions.
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