"Crazy" Putin isolated: Russia's allies keep their distance

Created: 01/11/2023 11:10 am

By: Stefan Krieger

China fears Russia will become an "insignificant power" under "mad" Putin.

Not only Beijing is increasingly turning its back on Moscow.

Moscow – Beijing is apparently planning a reorientation of its foreign policy and a move away from Moscow.

The Chinese leadership fears a decline in Russia's economic and political influence as a direct result of the Ukraine war.

Because of the unsuccessful course of the invasion for Moscow, a fall of Putin is feared.

This was reported by the

and

on Tuesday (January 10), citing anonymous Chinese officials and "regional experts".

Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping did talk about strengthening bilateral ties during a video conference in late December, but distrust of the Russian leader is growing among the upper echelons of the Chinese Communist Party, according to the

“The decision to invade was made by a very small group of people.

China shouldn't just follow Russia," the paper quotes an unnamed Chinese official as saying, adding, "Putin is crazy."

Russia's invasion of Ukraine: China was uninformed

According to the information, contrary to the popular version, China was not aware of the Kremlin's plans to launch a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine last year.

At best, a limited military operation was expected.

At a meeting on February 4 last year, Putin reportedly told Xi that Russia "would not rule out taking all possible measures if eastern Ukrainian separatists attack Russian territory and cause humanitarian disasters."

Actually, relations should be strengthened: Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during a video conference.

© Mikhail Klimentyev

Anonymous Chinese sources also told the paper that they believed the Kremlin's goals in Ukraine were doomed and that Russia would emerge from the Ukraine conflict as an "insignificant power".

In the short term, however, Beijing could still benefit a great deal from the continued good relations with the Kremlin, since the closeness to Putin is seen as a useful means of exerting pressure on relations with Europe.

China also hopes to benefit from the post-war reconstruction boom in Ukraine, officials said.

Setback for Moscow: "Very complicated problems" with Armenia

Meanwhile, the former Soviet republic of Armenia is also thwarting Russian plans.

Contrary to an announcement from Moscow, the country does not want to make its territory available for exercises by the Russian-led military alliance CSTO.

"In the current situation, we do not consider it expedient to conduct CSTO exercises on the territory of Armenia," said Prime Minister of the South Caucasus republic Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday (January 10).

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Pashinyan initially left the exact reasons for this open.

The crisis-ridden country, which is heavily dependent on Russia as a protective power, has repeatedly accused Moscow of inaction in the conflict region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Particular displeasure is caused by the fact that Russian troops stationed in the area are not doing enough to clear the Lachin corridor, which is being blocked by forces from neighboring Azerbaijan.

Russia's Defense Ministry announced just a week and a half ago that the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) would hold its "Indestructible Brotherhood - 2023" maneuver in Armenia this year.

The alliance also includes other ex-Soviet states such as Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured on Tuesday that Armenia is still a close partner of Russia - but at the same time he also acknowledged "very complicated problems" in view of Pashinyan's recent statements.

(skr/dpa)