“We should not read anything new between China and Russia,” warns a specialist on Russia and Ukraine, political scientist at the CNRS

How to interpret the meeting on Wednesday, October 18, between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping? “They have been reaffirming for years that their friendship is limitless”reacts Marie Mendras, political scientist at CNRS, specialist in Russia and Ukraine, which recalls the need to “understand the context”. “It’s a big celebration of the Xi Jinping regime, with more than 100 representatives from foreign countries. So there is this small part that we offer to Putin, because the poor man can no longer travel abroad ( …) but the important thing is that it is a celebration of Xi Jinping”, adds Marie Mendras.

Russia, not China’s “main trading partner”

“Nothing new” since Xi Jinping’s trip to Russia. “We should not read anything new between China and Russia”adds the specialist, who specifies that “Russia is not China’s main trading partner”. Vladimir Putin, under international arrest warrant, therefore according to Marie Mendras “took advantage of the situation to show itself to be in very good relations with the Chinese”. “The fact remains that China’s main trading partner is the European Union”she analyzes again.