Putin and Xi , Meet to Show Solidarity , As Crisis Over Ukraine Continues.<br />On February 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin <br />met with China's Xi Jinping in a show <br />of solidarity amid a crisis over Ukraine. .<br />On February 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin <br />met with China's Xi Jinping in a show <br />of solidarity amid a crisis over Ukraine. .<br />'The Washington Post' reports that both leaders <br />expressed opposition to NATO expansion while avoiding <br />directly mentioning the current conflict by name. .<br />'The Washington Post' reports that both leaders <br />expressed opposition to NATO expansion while avoiding <br />directly mentioning the current conflict by name. .<br />According to a summary <br />of the meeting by state news <br />agency Xinhua, Xi said <br />that China and Russia , "firmly support each other <br />in safeguarding their <br />core interests.".<br />According to a summary <br />of the meeting by state news <br />agency Xinhua, Xi said <br />that China and Russia , "firmly support each other <br />in safeguarding their <br />core interests.".<br />'The Washington Post' reports that Putin <br />announced a plan to build a new pipeline <br />in order to supply China with more gas.<br />'The Washington Post' reports that Putin <br />announced a plan to build a new pipeline <br />in order to supply China with more gas.<br />Hours before the high-profile meeting, <br />the United States reportedly issued a warning <br />to China against helping Russia dodge sanctions. .<br />Hours before the high-profile meeting, <br />the United States reportedly issued a warning <br />to China against helping Russia dodge sanctions. .<br />According to 'The Washington Post,' Western officials have <br />said those sanctions might include penalties on Russian <br />financial institutions or curbs on technology exports. .<br />They could also include <br />personal sanctions leveled against <br />Kremlin leaders and their associates. .<br />They could also include <br />personal sanctions leveled against <br />Kremlin leaders and their associates. .<br />Analysts have expressed fear that China's <br />support could embolden Russia, which has amassed <br />more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders. .<br />Analysts have expressed fear that China's <br />support could embolden Russia, which has amassed <br />more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders. .<br />The 'Washington Post' reports that in 2008, the last time <br />China hosted the Olympics, Russia invaded Georgia <br />while Putin attended that event's Opening Ceremony. .<br />The 'Washington Post' reports that in 2008, the last time <br />China hosted the Olympics, Russia invaded Georgia <br />while Putin attended that event's Opening Ceremony. .<br />Efforts to resolve the standoff diplomatically <br />have been stalled as both sides have <br />refused to compromise on key issues. .<br />Efforts to resolve the standoff diplomatically <br />have been stalled as both sides have <br />refused to compromise on key issues.
