Putin speaks of at least 5 years of war against Ukraine at meeting with Xi

This is reported by Nikkei Asia.

In March, Putin said that Russia would be at war for at least five years and assured China's leader that Russia would eventually win.

According to the Nikkei, this could have affected relations between Russia and China, which, in particular, was reflected in the Chinese peacekeeping mission to Europe and the dismissal of the Chinese Foreign Minister.

According to media reports, China has revised its strategy because the long war in Ukraine will affect Xi Jinping's plans and ambitions during his third term as China's leader, including the annexation of Taiwan.

Given Putin's statement, the Nikkei notes, reports of alleged openness to a truce and negotiations should not be taken as true. He probably just wants to create an illusion on the eve of the presidential election, believing that this will help him.