Kremlin Says Putin Trip to China Is 'On the Agenda'

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with CEO of VTB bank Andrey Kostin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 11, 2023. (Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with CEO of VTB bank Andrey Kostin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 11, 2023. (Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters)
TT

Kremlin Says Putin Trip to China Is 'On the Agenda'

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with CEO of VTB bank Andrey Kostin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 11, 2023. (Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with CEO of VTB bank Andrey Kostin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 11, 2023. (Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters)

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a visit by President Vladimir Putin to China was on the agenda, adding that now was a good time to build on the already strong relationship between the two countries.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a regular news briefing that the date of Putin's trip would be announced when it had been finalized.

"Now is an absolutely opportune moment to maintain high dynamics in the development of bilateral Russian-Chinese relations... The exact dates will be agreed and you will be informed. Dialogue continues at various levels," he said.

Russia has further strengthened its economic, trade, political and military ties with China after its decision to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine drove relations with the West to post-Cold War lows.

Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping committed to a "no limits" partnership just weeks before Russia launched what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine on Feb. 24 2022.

Xi visited Moscow in March this year and sealed a series of economic and other agreements with his "dear friend" Putin.

China, a major buyer of Russian oil and gas, presented a paper calling for a de-escalation and eventual ceasefire in Ukraine, but Kyiv and its Western allies rejected the plan, saying it would lock in Russian territorial gains.

During Putin's expected trip to Beijing, Peskov said, the two presidents would focus on bilateral trade and economic cooperation and on global issues.

"Based on the similarity of Moscow and Beijing's vision of the essence of international relations...we have very, very good prospects for further discussions and, most importantly, for constructive interaction," Peskov said.



Le Pen Makes New Threat to Withdraw Support for French Government

French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, talks to journalists as she leaves after a meeting with the French Prime Minister to discuss the 2025 budget bill (PLF) at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, November 25, 2024. (Reuters)
French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, talks to journalists as she leaves after a meeting with the French Prime Minister to discuss the 2025 budget bill (PLF) at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, November 25, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Le Pen Makes New Threat to Withdraw Support for French Government

French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, talks to journalists as she leaves after a meeting with the French Prime Minister to discuss the 2025 budget bill (PLF) at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, November 25, 2024. (Reuters)
French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, talks to journalists as she leaves after a meeting with the French Prime Minister to discuss the 2025 budget bill (PLF) at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, November 25, 2024. (Reuters)

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen issued a new threat on Monday to withdraw support for France's coalition government in a no-confidence vote, after talks with Prime Minister Michel Barnier failed to satisfy her party's demands for budget concessions.

Le Pen said nothing had changed following the discussions, and that she was not optimistic a compromise on the belt-tightening 2025 budget bill could be reached.

"Nothing appears less certain," she told reporters.

The Senate was set to debate on Monday following its rejection by lawmakers in the National Assembly after revisions by lawmakers in the lower house.

Opposition parties are threatening to topple Barnier's government as it seeks approval for the budget, and his fragile coalition relies on her National Rally (RN) party for its survival.

The government is seeking to squeeze 60 billion euros ($62.85 billion) in savings through tax increases and spending cuts to reduce the deficit to 5% of economic output next year from over 6% this year.

National Rally has said it will support the efforts to oust the government if certain demands are not met. Le Pen said last week that the RN opposes increasing the tax burden on households, entrepreneurs or pensioners, and that so far these demands were not reflected in the budget bill.

LEGAL PROBLEMS

Le Pen's own political future is also under threat, with prosecutors seeking a mandatory five-year ban from politics for her alleged role in an embezzlement scheme. Le Pen denies the allegations.

Some analysts have suggested her legal problems may accelerate her plans to bring down the government,

Barnier's struggles to secure approval for the budget have fueled speculation he will invoke article 49.3 of the constitution, which allows the text to be adopted without a vote. Such a move could trigger a no-confidence motion against the government.

"It is true that we find very little quality in this budget and very little time for the government to try to increase its qualities and reduce its defects," Le Pen said.

Barnier was also due to meet other political leaders on Monday to seek a compromise on the budget bill. A final vote on the overall budget is scheduled for Dec. 12.