Skip to main content

Saudi cautious as Iran looks to make gains from Putin’s China visit

As Putin was making his way to Beijing, Alexie Miller, chair of Russia’s Gazprom, was in Tehran, where he met First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber and Oil Minister Javad Owji, the company said.

A military band welcomed the President with the Russian national anthem, and the Russian tricolor was hoisted over Tiananmen Square.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and a a military band welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin into Beijing on May 16, 2024. — Russian Embassy in South Africa

You're reading an excerpt from Al-Monitor's China-Middle East Briefing, a weekly newsletter dedicated to understanding Beijing's growing influence and regional rise. To read the full newsletter, sign up here.  

WASHINGTON — Vladimir Putin has made it abundantly clear that outside his closest neighbors Belarus and Kazakhstan, China is a top destination with 19 trips in total since becoming president of Russia in 2000 and four times since he invaded Ukraine in 2022. 

This week’s two-day visit has Western countries peevish at the prospect of Beijing and Moscow boosting cooperation that further undermines the sanctions regime on the Kremlin since the war began. But on the Middle East, the visit sends mixed signals as both Russia and China confront new challenges in the region. Both are drawing closer to Iran but face setbacks with Arab Gulf states. 

A red-carpet reception was in order as Putin touched down in Beijing on Thursday morning local time, accompanied by a high-level delegation to discuss a range of issues from the Ukraine war to booming trade and military cooperation.

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

Access 1 free article per month when you sign up. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in

Related Topics