Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia and China were playing an “important stabilizing role” in international politics ahead of their meeting with Xi in Beijing this week.

Putin, who is on his way to the Chinese capital for the Winter Olympics, said discussing “relevant international topics” would be a key part of the visit, appearing to be a reference to the current tensions in Ukraine. He made the comments in a signed article published by China’s official Xinhua News Agency on Thursday.

“Foreign policy coordination between Russia and China is based on a close and consistent approach to global and regional problems,” Putin wrote. “Our nation plays an important stabilizing role in today’s challenging international environment, promoting a more democratic system of international relations, making it more equitable and inclusive.”

Putin’s call for stronger ties with China comes amid escalating tensions in Ukraine and warnings from U.S. intelligence that Russia is preparing for an invasion. The February 4 summit ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics will be the first face-to-face talks between Putin and Xi in more than two years, as the two countries deepen political, military and economic ties to confront the West on the global stage.

The Russian leader was the highest-ranking guest at the Olympics, which have been largely boycotted by political leaders in Western democracies led by the United States over alleged human rights abuses in China’s western Xinjiang region. China has repeatedly denied the allegations and condemned the politicization of sports, which Putin agrees with.

“Sadly, attempts by some countries to politicize sports for self-interest have intensified recently,” Putin wrote in the Xinhua article. “This is fundamentally wrong and goes against the spirit and principles of the Olympic Charter.”

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times