Analyst says Putin Xi talks could heighten US China tensions over Ukraine, energy

WLOS News 13
リアクション
2026年05月20日
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for an official visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
China expert and political analyst Gordon Chang told The National News Desk he expects Putin to use the visit to discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine and energy ties with China.
“I think that Putin certainly wants to talk about his failing effort in Ukraine,” Chang said. He added that “China can't be too pleased about it because it's been backing Putin,” and said the leaders are also likely to discuss “Russian energy sales to China,” noting China “right now needs a lot of energy, needs a lot of oil and gas.”
Asked whether the visit could increase tensions between the United States and China, Chang said it should. “Well, it should, because we know that China has been backing this effort in Ukraine. And that is attacks on the West,” he said. “So, yes, the United States should be very upset.”
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