Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, will travel to Russia for four days starting on Monday. “During this time, both countries are expect to strengthen their political ties in preparation for what could be a historic visit by President Vladimir Putin to Beijing in October.”
Wang Yi visits Russia: Wang will meet with Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev for yearly security discussions, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry. Wang is in charge of both the foreign affairs office of the ruling Communist Party and the foreign ministry.
The seasoned diplomat would discuss a “wide range of issues” with colleague Sergei Lavrov, including “contacts at higher and the highest levels,” the Russian foreign ministry announced last week.
“The warrant requires the 123 member states of the court to detain Putin and send him to the Hague for trial if he reaches their country. It was issue just days before Xi visited Russia.”
In 2017 and 2019, Putin participated in China’s first two Belt and Road Forums.
However, it is unknown whether he has left the country since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest order for him for forcible removal of hundreds of children from Ukraine.
On September 1, Putin stated that he anticipated meeting Xi shortly but did not specifically state that he would visit China once more.
The warrant, issued just days before Xi visited Russia, requires the 123 member states of the court to detain Putin and send him to the Hague for trial if he reaches their country.
China, however, is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which resulted in the creation of the ICC in 2002.
“High-Level Talks Between China and Russia Set Stage for Potential Xi-Biden Meeting”
According to ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, a thorough exchange of opinions on matters like Ukraine will take place during the visit.
Wang last travelled to Russia in February, on the occasion of the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “At the time, the US was alarmed by the visit, claiming that the two countries shared a belief that ‘borders could be redrawn by force.'”
Prior to this week’s visit, Wang drove to Malta to meet with White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan for several hours of “constructive” discussions.
The high-level conversations between US and Chinese officials that took place over the weekend were the most recent in a line of discussions that could pave the way for a meeting between Xi and US Vice President Joe Biden this year.