Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during an official visit to Russia on March 20-22, probably to discuss sanctions evasion schemes and China's interest in mediating the settlement of the war in Ukraine, according to analysts of the Institute for the Study of War.
As you know, the Kremlin said that Putin and Xi plan to sign bilateral documents, the content of which is currently unknown, and to discuss topical issues of comprehensive partnership between the Russian Federation and China.
It was previously reported that Chinese companies sold parts for drones and equipment that could be used for military purposes to Russian companies. At the same time, Western intelligence services said that the Chinese leadership is considering the possibility of providing Russia with lethal weapons.
"Xi probably plans to discuss with Putin and Russian officials schemes to circumvent sanctions that will facilitate the sale and provision of Chinese equipment to Russia," the institute's experts are convinced.
Earlier, ISW concluded that on March 1, Alexander Lukashenko and Xi signed a package of 16 agreements that could facilitate the circumvention of Russian sanctions by promoting Chinese products through Belarus.
"Xi is also likely to aim to contribute to Chinese efforts to position China as an impartial broker in talks between Russia and Ukraine. On February 24, China unveiled a 12-point peace plan for the war in Ukraine, although it remains unclear what exactly China's proposals will include on a negotiated settlement of the war. Xi may try to use his success in brokering the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia for a broader mediation effort in this war," the institute's analysts added.
