Xi and Putin’s joint paper documents China’s dominance

By
Frank Sieren

Joint final declarations in politics are always the result of a struggle for power. The joint declaration of the Xi-Putin summit at the beginning of the week is a closing of ranks against the West, but above all, a shift in the balance of power in favor of China – and in the direction of a peaceful solution to the conflict. The West wants that, too. But not at the price Beijing is offering: A cease-fire and talks without Putin having to withdraw from the occupied Ukrainian territories. Overall, the paper documents how weak Russia’s position is vis-à-vis China after the unfavorable course of the war.