Xi Jinping to visit Russia for BRICS summit next month
- Xi Jinping will visit Russia for a BRICS summit in Kazan next month.
- This visit follows Xi's previous trip in March 2023 and highlights the strengthening economic and military ties between China and Russia amid Western sanctions.
- The BRICS alliance continues to expand, indicating a shift in global power dynamics.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to visit Russia next month for a BRICS summit in Kazan, as confirmed by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This visit marks Xi's second trip to Russia since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. While China maintains a neutral stance, it has supported Russia's claims regarding Western provocation and continues to supply essential components for Russian military production. Wang Yi recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, where they emphasized the strengthening ties between their nations. Xi has accepted Putin's invitation to the summit, and the two leaders plan to hold a bilateral meeting to discuss the evolving Russia-China relationship, which is reportedly thriving in various sectors. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, Russia has increasingly relied on China economically due to Western sanctions that have limited its access to international markets. In 2022, trade between the two countries reached $240 billion, helping Russia mitigate the impact of these sanctions. Additionally, Moscow has redirected its energy exports to China and sought Chinese assistance in acquiring high-tech components for its military industries. The BRICS alliance, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has expanded to include South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE, with Saudi Arabia considering membership. This expansion reflects the bloc's growing influence as a counterbalance to Western dominance in global affairs.