Putin’s welcome to Xi Jinping seems to show China is on Russia’s side

Vladimir Putin’s welcoming remarks to Xi Jinping appear to have been a carefully crafted barb aimed at Ukraine and its allies, to make the Chinese president’s visit to Moscow sting even more. “Together with our Chinese friends, we… counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism,” the Kremlin leader said. It was a thinly veiled reference to Russia’s war in Ukraine, which Moscow characterises as an existential struggle against modern-day Nazis. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 Putin welcomes ‘dear friend’ Xi in Kremlin China insists it’s neutral on the war, but Kyiv disputes that. Last…