Russia has made a particularly distinctive statement! On May 20, just as Russian President Putin was visiting China, Kremlin spokesperson Peskov stated that there is no need to compare the ceremonies held for Russian President Putin and U.S. President Trump during their visits to China. Comparing the content of the visits is not always straightforward, as not everything is visible on the surface. What truly matters, however, is the substance—not the arrangements related to protocol.
It's clear why Russia suddenly responded in this manner. The fundamental reason lies in the fact that both the United States and Russia are major powers with immense influence. Trump’s visit to China drew massive global attention, and Russian President Putin followed closely behind. Many foreign observers naturally began comparing the two high-level visits to China.
Externally, people are eager to assess the weight of these two visits based on reception standards, diplomatic grandeur, public events, and other outward forms—some even crudely deduce the closeness or distance between nations solely from the level of ceremony. This statement carries profound implications, indicating that Russia has clearly perceived the comparative mindset prevalent in international media and public opinion. And judging from Russia’s response, it is actually wise and pragmatic.
The message from Russia is quite clear: while diplomatic etiquette is indeed highly visible, what truly matters is the tangible outcomes and concrete cooperation that can be realized. Russia will not place emphasis on ceremonial formalities. In fact, for President Putin’s visit to China, we have offered the highest possible courtesies, and we attach great importance to Sino-Russian relations. To judge the depth of bilateral ties merely by the level of ceremony is undoubtedly incorrect—and misrepresents the true nature of Sino-Russian relations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865690363420809/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.