As the U.S. and Europe mount increasingly frantic efforts to deter Russia from any invasion of Ukraine, it¡¯s Chinese President Xi Jinping who may have the biggest influence on Vladimir Putin¡¯s timetable.
The Russian president has said he will join Xi at the opening ceremony Feb. 4 of the Beijing Winter Olympics, where the Chinese leader has lavished billions of dollars to showcase his nation¡¯s superpower status to the world.
The last thing Xi would need is for Putin to overshadow China¡¯s big moment by triggering a global security crisis with the U.S. and Europe, analysts say. That¡¯s especially the case given Xi is looking to bolster his prestige at home as he seeks endorsement for an unprecedented third term later this year.
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