China has kept away from condemning Russia’s operation towards Ukraine or calling it an “invasion”.

Samarkand:

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised China’s Xi Jinping for his “balanced” place on the battle in Ukraine and scolded the United States for what the Kremlin chief stated have been provocations over Taiwan.

Xi, on his first journey exterior China for the reason that begin of the COVID-19 pandemic, met Putin within the historic Uzbek Silk Road metropolis of Samarkand the place they may attend a summit of The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Speaking at their first face-to-face assembly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started, Putin praised Xi for his place on the conflict in Ukraine but additionally stated he understood Beijing had “questions and concern” over the battle.

China has kept away from condemning Russia’s operation towards Ukraine or calling it an “invasion” according to the Kremlin, which casts the conflict as “a special military operation”.

“We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis,” Putin stated. “We understand your questions and concern about this. During today’s meeting, we will of course explain our position.”

Putin explicitly backed China over Taiwan.

China held blockade-style army drills round Taiwan after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island final month. Taiwan’s authorities strongly rejects China’s sovereignty claims.

“We intend to firmly adhere to the principle of ‘One China’,” Putin stated. “We condemn provocations by the United States and their satellites in the Taiwan Strait.”

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