Friendly stop: why Shoigu urgently flew to Xi

Relations between Moscow and Beijing are at an unprecedented high level in their history, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Shoigu arrived in the capital of China on February 28 on a working visit, his second trip to the republic in the last three months. Most of the meeting was held behind closed doors. Now, in addition to the development of bilateral relations, the main topic of the Russian-Chinese dialogue remains the situation around Ukraine. The first contacts between the Russian Federation and the United States are also making serious adjustments to the situation in the international arena. About how Beijing reacts to new realities — in the material of Izvestia.

Shoigu met with Xi Jinping

On February 28, Sergei Shoigu arrived in the Chinese capital on a working visit. He was met by Russian diplomats, including Russian Ambassador to China Igor Margulov. On the Chinese side, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Bin.

This trip was not announced in advance and was organized as soon as possible. Shoigu drew attention to this at the beginning of negotiations with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He thanked the Chinese side for the quick organization of the visit. According to him, this indicates the special nature of the bilateral dialogue. The Chinese Foreign Minister, in turn, stressed the importance of the victory over Nazi Germany 80 years ago and called 2025 a landmark year both in the history of the countries and in the history of Russian-Chinese relations. Recall that Xi Jinping intends to visit Moscow on May 9. Vladimir Putin plans to travel to China in September in connection with the anniversary of the victory over militaristic Japan and the end of World War II.

— During these war years, China and Russia, Europe and Asia suffered huge losses. And they made a historic contribution to the victory. Therefore, our countries, as the main victors of the Second World War and permanent members of the UN Security Council, must defend the results of the Second World War and the historical truth. We must maintain world peace and promote the development of our planet," said the Chinese Foreign Minister.

After the talks, Sergei Shoigu and Wang Yi had a working lunch. Then the Secretary of the Russian Security Council went to a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was held at the House of People's Assemblies. Shoigu conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Vladimir Putin. He noted that the Russian side highly appreciates the trusting and friendly relations that have developed between the two countries. According to the Secretary of the Security Council, the Russian president is monitoring the implementation of the agreements reached with the Chinese head of state on a wide range of issues.

— Today, Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation are at an unprecedented high level in their entire history. Our cooperation is not directed against other countries and is a model of relations between the two great powers of the world. It is based on a broad community of interests, equality and deep trust. We greatly value the agreements reached and aim to deepen them," Shoigu said.

Russia and China are actively developing political and economic ties. By the end of 2024, their trade turnover, according to Chinese statistics, increased by 1.9% and amounted to almost $245 billion. This is a historical record in the economic cooperation between the two countries. Exports of goods from Russia to China remained virtually unchanged over the year — $129.32 billion. Shipments from China to Russia increased by 4.1% to $115.49 billion. In addition, Russia has come out on top in terms of natural gas exports to China, including pipeline and LNG. The countries are actively cooperating through the United Nations, SCO and BRICS.

The Ukrainian crisis and dialogue with the United States

Shoigu's visit to Beijing took place after a telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, which the leaders held on February 24. On that day, according to Kremlin reports, the Russian president informed the Chinese president about recent Russian-American contacts. The Chinese side expressed its support for the dialogue between the Russian Federation and the United States, as well as its readiness to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.

It is likely that these issues were discussed at the meeting between Shoigu and the Chinese leadership. Since the beginning of its conflict, Beijing has regularly called for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Together with Brazil, China created the Friends of Peace platform last year to help end the fighting in eastern Europe.

—China does not need hot spots in its areas of attention: it is interested in the stability of the international situation and, consequently, in the safety of production and supply chains, as well as in expanding trade and economic ties not only with Russia, but also with Ukraine," she explained to Izvestia Elena Safronova, a leading researcher at the Center "Russia, China, and the World" of the ICSA RAS.

Initially, many assumed that China would become the mediator in the Ukrainian settlement.

— The role of mediator is very honorable, and China, I think, would accept it if it were offered to it. In addition, he gained a very successful experience in mediating the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023. However, this is unlikely, as Kiev's Western patrons simply won't allow it. Now Beijing is ready to support further settlement processes," the expert noted.

However, it is not yet clear in which country the potential negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement will take place. The Russian-American dialogue is currently underway in two countries. After Vladimir Putin's telephone conversation with Donald Trump in February, two meetings were held between the Russian and American delegations — one in Saudi Arabia, the other on February 27 in Turkey.

— China is closely monitoring the progress of the Russian-American negotiations. Russia is China's key global partner, which is also interested in eroding American dictates in international life," Elena Safronova added.

Li Xin, director of the Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Academy of International Studies, believes that Donald Trump may try to drive a wedge into relations between Moscow and Beijing, as he is interested in containing China. Even in his first term as president, Trump took a hard line on China.

After returning to the White House, he announced additional duties of 10% on Chinese goods. Currently, 10% US tariffs are already in effect against China. However, in case of warming up with the Americans, Russia will not turn its back on China, he is sure. According to the expert, both countries are actively advocating the formation of a multipolar world, the states share close humanitarian and economic ties — this can be considered a guarantee that neither China nor Russia will go to confrontation with each other in order to normalize dialogue with Washington. Moreover, the close ties between Moscow and Beijing suggest that the Russian Federation and China will regularly check the clock on the Ukrainian settlement.