Russian President Vladimir Putin is in China for his first foreign visit after securing a fifth term. China’s President Xi Jinping welcomed Putin personally, and the two leaders made some significant announcements together. On Russia’s war with Ukraine, President Xi said that “a political solution to the Ukraine crisis is the right direction”. This statement comes as Russia’s offensive against Ukraine continues to gain momentum.

While Xi called for peace in Ukraine, the US has accused China of helping Russia gain access to “dual use technology”- thus enabling its war with Kyiv. As Presidents Putin and Xi strengthen the Russia-China relationship, the West is mulling sanctions on China to block exports of dual use technologies. Can Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping’s friendship sustain the test of sanctions and Western scrutiny? Palki Sharma tells you more.