Intro

As Xi Jinping, China’s leader, meets with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in Moscow this week, Chinese officials have been presenting his trip as a mission of peace. But American and European officials are watching for something else altogether — whether Mr. Xi will add fuel to the full-scale war that Mr. Putin began more than a year ago.

Edward Wong explains what Mr. Xi is really up to, and why it’s making people wonder whether a new Cold War is underway.

Guest: Edward Wong, a diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• Chinese officials say Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow is a peace mission. But U.S. and European officials say he aims to bolster Vladimir Putin.
• Here’s what to know on Xi’s second day of meetings in Russia.

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