On His Birthday, Xi Jinping Talked with Putin... Discussed the Ukraine Issue

China Likely to Discuss Solutions Including Inflation While Maintaining Existing Stance
Possibility Raised of Coordinated Positions Between China and Russia on Eastward Policy Ahead of NATO Summit

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone call ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for the end of this month. This is their second call since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. After holding a summit in Beijing on February 4, Xi and Putin spoke on the phone on February 25.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on the 16th that Xi and Putin exchanged views on bilateral and international issues, including the Ukraine situation, on the afternoon of the 15th.

Regarding the Ukraine issue, President Xi said, "China has consistently judged the Ukraine issue based on historical grounds and independent judgment," emphasizing the need to actively promote world peace and stabilize the global economic order. He further stressed, "All parties must take a responsible attitude to find a solution to Ukraine." Xi added that China is willing to continue playing a legitimate role going forward.

Xinhua reported that the two leaders exchanged views on strengthening communication through important international and regional organizations such as the United Nations (UN), BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and on promoting cooperation with emerging market countries and developing countries to develop the international order in a more fair and reasonable direction.

According to reports from Xinhua and other Chinese media, the content of the phone call between the two leaders in February and this recent call are largely similar. Only the Ukraine issue was mentioned, without specific solutions or opinions.

However, since this call took place immediately after the face-to-face meeting between Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party responsible for foreign affairs, and Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, in Luxembourg, there is analysis suggesting that both sides likely had in-depth discussions on the Ukraine issue. Given that the international food and energy price surges triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine have caused a global inflation crisis, they may have discussed possible compromises.

There is also interpretation that, with the NATO summit scheduled, China and Russia coordinated their positions on NATO's eastward expansion policy.

Professor Choi Hyung of East China Normal University expressed concern, saying, "The NATO summit will also be attended by the leaders of South Korea and Japan," and "The summit may adopt a new security concept targeting not only Russia but also China."

The state-run Global Times published an article emphasizing the firm China-Russia relationship, noting that Xi spoke with Putin on his birthday, June 15. The media highlighted that Xi and Putin have maintained a deep personal friendship for over ten years, and that the mutual trust between the two leaders will guarantee the long-term stability of China-Russia relations.

Yang Jin, a researcher at the Institute of Russian, East European, and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated, "This call shows China's firm intention to continue developing relations with Russia and enhancing cooperation," and claimed, "Some European Union (EU) and NATO member countries are also following a similar path as China."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.