Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly suggested during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin might regret his invasion of Ukraine. The Financial Times, citing sources, reported this on May 18, drawing attention as it comes ahead of Putin's visit to China.
According to the report, Xi made the comments while discussing various issues with Trump, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. The remarks are notable given that the conflict has now surpassed four years, with Ukraine's effective counterattacks prolonging the war, as noted by the FT.
The tone of Xi's comments regarding the Ukraine war appears to have escalated compared to previous discussions. A source indicated that during a meeting with former President Joe Biden, Xi had engaged in "frank and direct" conversations about the war but did not assess Putin's actions.
The Biden administration has criticized China for allegedly supplying dual-use goods to Russia. While the Trump administration also expressed similar concerns, the frequency of such criticisms has decreased, according to the FT.
Xi's remarks are particularly significant as they come just before Putin's scheduled visit to China, where he is expected to meet with Xi on May 20. In a video address on May 18, Putin expressed optimism about the visit, stating, "Russia and China are ready to support each other on a wide range of issues, including national unity and sovereignty protection." Notably, Putin had visited China three weeks before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, where he and Xi announced a "no-limits friendship" between their countries.
Meanwhile, Trump reportedly argued during his meeting with Xi that the leaders of the U.S., China, and Russia should collaborate against the International Criminal Court (ICC). Trump has long criticized the ICC for allegedly disregarding U.S. sovereignty and judicial authority. Currently, Putin is subject to an arrest warrant issued by the ICC.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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