western adversaries, including Moscow, asserting resistance to sanctions and political coercion from the West.
In a significant move, Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently on a long-awaited visit to China, marking his first extended trip to a single country in 20 years. This visit, taking place barely two weeks after his meeting with former US President Donald Trump in Alaska, is a testament to Russia's growing ties with China.
The visit follows a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation security summit and is scheduled to include bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and face-to-face discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin is also slated to be the guest of honor at a military parade in China on Wednesday, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan's formal surrender in the Second World War.
Discussions between US and Russian officials about potential energy deals have been ongoing, with the hope of incentivizing the Kremlin to agree to a peace deal and to start diluting its bond with China. However, the visit to China is seen as a deliberate illustration of the close relationship between Moscow and Beijing. It is perceived as a show of solidarity amid sanctions, implying that Russia and its allies are immune to Western pressure.
The symbolism of the visit suggests that Russia and China fought shoulder-to-shoulder against the enemies of the past and will remain united against the threats of the future. The handshake and smile between Putin and Modi, following Trump's tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, can be seen as a diplomatic equivalent of blowing a raspberry in Washington's direction.
However, the economic slump in Russia, with signs of the economy being on the brink of recession, is particularly concerning for Moscow. Putin is seeking a commitment from Russia's economic partners that they won't abandon him should the pressure increase. The economic slump has led to a dip in trade volumes between Russia and China, with bilateral trade, which has supported the Russian economy since the invasion of Ukraine, starting to decline in recent months.
Despite these challenges, Putin is aiming to arrest the economic slump and expand trade into new areas during his visit to China. The American president has tried threats of tariffs and secondary sanctions over China's continued purchasing of Russian oil, but the resilience of the Russia-China relationship remains unshaken.
This visit is a clear indication of the strategic partnership between Russia and China, and it underscores the importance of this relationship in the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century. The visit to China is a significant step in Putin's diplomatic efforts to strengthen Russia's position on the global stage.
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