
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China February 4, 2022. Sputnik/Aleksey Druzhinin/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Issuing an international arrest warrant for Putin could have significant implications for China’s relationship with Russia and its leader, Xi Jinping.
Firstly, it could create tension and strain in the diplomatic relations between China and Russia. China has been working to strengthen its partnership with Russia in recent years, particularly in the face of increasing pressure and sanctions from the United States and its allies. However, an arrest warrant for Putin could damage this relationship, as China would be forced to take a stance on the matter.
Secondly, it could also potentially embolden Putin to act more aggressively towards China, as he may see China as an unreliable ally. Putin may believe that if China is willing to turn on him, they may also be willing to turn on Russia in the future.
Thirdly, if Xi were to extradite Putin to face charges, it could potentially set a precedent for the extradition of other leaders in the future. This could have implications for Xi himself, as he may become more vulnerable to extradition requests from other countries.
Overall, an international arrest warrant for Putin would likely complicate the already complex relationship between China and Russia, and could have significant geopolitical implications for both countries.