Xi Jinping
Putin's lifeline is welcomed in Europe
Wolfgang Hansson
This is a commenting text. Analysis and positions are the writer's.
Published 21.46
French President Emmanuel Macron shook hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before their meeting in Paris. Photo: Christophe Ena / AP
A visit by Vladimir Putin to an EU country today would be unthinkable.
But China's Xi Jinping is welcome even though he is acting as Putin's lifeline in the war in Ukraine.
Quick version
Possibly, the fact that Xi was received at the airport by Prime Minister Attal and not Emmanuel Macron can be seen as some kind of marking on the part of the French president.
Because despite the fact that China officially claims that it has not taken sides in Russia's war against Ukraine, it is clear that Xi Jinping is Putin's main ally.
Without China, Russia would not have had the same opportunities to replace the weapons arsenal destroyed in the fighting and to equip its army.
The US has repeatedly warned China against sending weapons to Russia. Xi Jinping, who does not want to risk the country being subjected to harsh economic sanctions from the West, seems to have largely heeded this call.
But that's only half the truth.
There are a number of products which are primarily intended for civilian use but which can also be used for military purposes.
China has greatly increased its exports of drones, semiconductors and other electronics to Russia. Electronics that can be used, for example, to control robots or manufacture tanks.
China has also greatly increased its exports of heavy loaders and tractors that can be used to build fortifications and anti-aircraft defenses.
Because despite the fact that China officially claims that it has not taken sides in Russia's war against Ukraine, it is clear that Xi Jinping is Putin's main ally.
Without China, Russia would not have had the same opportunities to replace the weapons arsenal destroyed in the fighting and to equip its army.
The US has repeatedly warned China against sending weapons to Russia. Xi Jinping, who does not want to risk the country being subjected to harsh economic sanctions from the West, seems to have largely heeded this call.
But that's only half the truth.
There are a number of products which are primarily intended for civilian use but which can also be used for military purposes.
China has greatly increased its exports of drones, semiconductors and other electronics to Russia. Electronics that can be used, for example, to control robots or manufacture tanks.
China has also greatly increased its exports of heavy loaders and tractors that can be used to build fortifications and anti-aircraft defenses.
A pure lie
Xi Jinping. Photo: Gonzalo Fuentes/AP
China's ally North Korea is one of the few that exports arms directly to Russia
In addition, China is strengthening the Russian war coffers by greatly increasing its imports of Russian oil. The income that Russia has lost due to the oil boycott from the West has been offset by China and India buying up a large part of the oil instead.
China does not take an active part in the war, but helps Russia in every way it can, except possibly by sending finished weapons.
So when Xi Jinping wrote in an article in the French daily newspaper Le Figaro before the visit that "China has played a constructive role in the efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the conflict", it is a pure lie.
While the US has sharply criticized China for its assistance to Russia, Europe has been more cautious.
This is not least noticeable in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently visited China and seemed more concerned with the good trade relations than trying to persuade Xi to stop supporting Russia in the war.
Emmanuel Macron will more clearly try to pressure his Chinese counterpart but Xi is unlikely to heed those calls. Especially as Macron also cares about trade relations. During the visit, China is expected to sign an agreement for the purchase of a number of passenger aircraft from Airbus.
The economy is in focus in more ways than one.
Drive a wedge
China hopes to sell its giant surplus of electric cars in Europe. The EU is threatening to impose tariffs and other trade barriers to protect its own car industry.
Xi visiting France is no coincidence. For his part, he wants to try to convince Macron and indirectly the rest of the EU to become more independent from the US.
Countries don't have to love each other to get along at the top level.
Macron is the European leader who has most clearly said that Europe must build up its own defense alongside NATO. Not least if Donald Trump wins the presidential election this autumn.
Xi's goal is to drive a wedge between Europe and the United States. Above all, he wants to prevent the EU from being as tough on China as the US.
Meeting face to face and developing personal relationships is also important to avoid disagreements developing into armed conflicts.
Still, one cannot help but reflect on the fact that Xi is welcome in Europe despite the vital aid he provides to Europe's worst enemy.
A visit by Putin would currently be an impossibility. If only because the Russian president would have to be immediately arrested because he is accused of war crimes by the international court in The Hague.
China hopes to sell its giant surplus of electric cars in Europe. The EU is threatening to impose tariffs and other trade barriers to protect its own car industry.
Xi visiting France is no coincidence. For his part, he wants to try to convince Macron and indirectly the rest of the EU to become more independent from the US.
Countries don't have to love each other to get along at the top level.
Macron is the European leader who has most clearly said that Europe must build up its own defense alongside NATO. Not least if Donald Trump wins the presidential election this autumn.
Xi's goal is to drive a wedge between Europe and the United States. Above all, he wants to prevent the EU from being as tough on China as the US.
Meeting face to face and developing personal relationships is also important to avoid disagreements developing into armed conflicts.
Still, one cannot help but reflect on the fact that Xi is welcome in Europe despite the vital aid he provides to Europe's worst enemy.
A visit by Putin would currently be an impossibility. If only because the Russian president would have to be immediately arrested because he is accused of war crimes by the international court in The Hague.
Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron on Monday. Photo: Christophe Ena / AP
Trojan Horse
Trade relations with China are simply too important to carry Xi despite his military threats against Taiwan, human rights abuses at home and support for Russia. Probably most countries in Europe would receive him if he wanted to come. Maybe even Sweden.
From France, Xi Jingping travels on to Serbia. A country that wants to join the EU but at the same time has close relations with China. An important ally for Beijing.
The European visit ends in Hungary, Putin's Trojan horse in the EU. Hungary is an important cog in Xi's New Silk Road project, which aims to build trade links and Chinese influence.
China's role in the war cannot be ignored. Arguably, there is nothing that would help Ukraine more in the war than a halt to Chinese exports to Putin's war machine.
Trade relations with China are simply too important to carry Xi despite his military threats against Taiwan, human rights abuses at home and support for Russia. Probably most countries in Europe would receive him if he wanted to come. Maybe even Sweden.
From France, Xi Jingping travels on to Serbia. A country that wants to join the EU but at the same time has close relations with China. An important ally for Beijing.
The European visit ends in Hungary, Putin's Trojan horse in the EU. Hungary is an important cog in Xi's New Silk Road project, which aims to build trade links and Chinese influence.
China's role in the war cannot be ignored. Arguably, there is nothing that would help Ukraine more in the war than a halt to Chinese exports to Putin's war machine.
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