Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has made headlines once again as he embarks on a historic visit to China. This visit holds particular significance as it marks the first time Putin has entered a non-Soviet country since the issuance of the ICC arrest warrant. The timing and implications of this visit have captured global attention, reflecting the geopolitical dynamics and the evolving role of both Russia and China on the world stage. Let’s delve into the significance of Putin’s visit to China and explore the potential impact it may have on international relations.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has arrived in China to participate in the international summit held in Beijing to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Chinese President Xi Jinping extended a personal invitation to Putin, referring to him as a “dear friend.” Today, Putin arrived in Beijing and will have a meeting with Xi Jinping on Wednesday. Notably, this visit marks the first time Putin has traveled to a non-Soviet country since an arrest warrant was issued against him by the International Criminal Court in March of this year. Due to ongoing Russian military involvement in Ukraine since February 2022, Putin has rarely ventured outside of Russia. With the exception of former Soviet Union countries and Iran, he has not visited any other nations. Although he did not include Kyrgyzstan in his earlier foreign trip this year, it is also a former Soviet Union country.
The ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant against Putin in March has significant implications for his international travel. As a member of the ICC, any country that Putin visits is obligated to arrest him. Consequently, he chose not to attend the BRICS conference in South Africa and the G20 summit in India, both ICC member countries. However, as China is not a member of the ICC, Putin found a safe haven to visit Beijing without the threat of arrest. This strategic move highlights the impact of the arrest warrant on Putin’s diplomatic engagements.
Discussion about this post