Putin tries to portray Russia as respected world power, while Chinese officials downplay close relations with Russia – ISW

This is written by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Experts drew attention to the fact that on April 5, Putin held a televised meeting at which he presented credentials to the heads of 17 diplomatic missions. He emphasized Russia's close relations with Syria and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. According to ISW, this is likely part of Russia's ongoing efforts to engage non-Western states in the partnership.

Putin said Syria is a reliable ally, with which Russia made several vague agreements during Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's recent visit to Russia on March 14. Putin criticized the ambassadors of the US and the countries of the European Union (EU) and said that the West is responsible for the war in Ukraine and the geopolitical confrontation with Russia.

As it follows from the report, in this way the Russian dictator tried to portray the Russian Federation as a respected state against the backdrop of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statements about the "absence of limitless friendship."

"Chinese Ambassador to the EU Fu Cong stated on April 5 that the Russian–Chinese joint statement declaring there were “no limits” to their ties released in February 2022 was misrepresented, calling “no limits” a “purely rhetorical statement.” Fu added that China does not support Russia’s war in Ukraine and is not providing Russia weapons. Fu’s statement is consistent with ISW’s March 21 assessment that Putin has not been able to secure the benefits from the no-limits bilateral partnership with China which he likely hoped for when meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow between March 20 and March 22," analysts said.

• China's ambassador to the EU, Fu Cong, claimed that last year's declaration of China's "limitless friendship" with Russia is just rhetoric - Beijing does not support Moscow in the war against Ukraine.