International Relations
Interview
China’s EVs and European Disunity: A Geoeconomic Playbook
7 October 2024
31 March 2023
Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow confirmed unfortunate suspicions that China isn’t interested in peace but a Russian victory.
After the publication of China’s “peace plan” for ending Russia’s war on Ukraine, some observers in Ukraine and in Western countries interpreted it as a signal that Beijing is genuinely interested in playing the role of peacemaker while giving Russian President Vladimir Putin a chance to save face and obtain terms favourable to Moscow.
However, after President Xi Jinping’s latest visit to Moscow, the topic of Chinese peace mediation virtually disappeared from the spotlight. The talks with Putin apparently did not refine the Chinese proposals that could realistically form the basis for peace consultations. During the two-day visit, the Russian and Chinese leaders spoke about the piece plan in generalities.