Xi Aligns With Putin Against US, But Hesitates on Gas Deal
- Two leaders issue joint statement criticizing US allies, NATO
- No sign of progress on gas pipeline vital for Russian revenues
This article is for subscribers only.
Xi Jinping used two days of talks in Moscow to firmly align with Russia against the US. But the Chinese leader held back from offering Vladimir Putin something he’s been looking for: A commitment to buy a lot more gas.
The visit by Xi, his first to Russia since Putin invaded Ukraine just over a year ago, marked a political win for both leaders. Xi saw an opportunity to push back at the US and buttress his image as a global statesman after helping to broker a Saudi-Iran deal, while Putin can show he has the support of one of the world’s most powerful leaders even as the US and its allies try to isolate him.