'Russia under 'crazy' Putin will become minor power; will fail in Kyiv': Chinese official

While Russia and China have strengned ir bilateral cooperation, upped tre cooperation and Moscow's closest ally has remained mute with respect to ongoing military intervention in Ukraine, an unnamed official on Wednesday labelled Russia's President Vlimir Putin as "crazy".

In a scathing attack against he of Russian Federation, one Chinese official who requested anonymity with FT said: “Putin is crazy,” ding that decision of invasion of Ukraine was, in fact, me by a "very small group of people." official, in his statement, went on to d that China shouldn't follow in footsteps of Moscow.

Russian Federation will "emerge from [Ukraine] conflict a 'minor power,'" Chinese official was quoted as saying in an interview with paper. 

Moscow will 'diminish economically and diplomatically'

official, in his prediction about Russia's economy, stated that it is likely that Moscow will "diminish economically and diplomatically" on global stage. According to FT, official was among handful of Chinese diplomats and officials who have recently expressed distrust in Russia, and more particularly towards Putin himself.

Russia's President hn't informed Beijing about his intention of launching a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, at least five Chinese officials told paper over a span of nine months. Such contrictory statements depict that even as China and Russia organized a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Russian leer Vlimir Putin in Beijing, re wasn't "no Sino-Russian co-operation, no forbidden zones” as claimed by foreign ministries of two ally nations. 

Some officials informed paper that while re was no public statement detailing conversation that was held between Russian and Chinese he of state, Putin only told Xi that Russia “would not rule out taking whatever measures possible if eastern Ukrainian separatists attack Russian territory and cause humanitarian disasters”.

This remark was clouded with ambiguity. This also demonstrates failure in Chinese understanding of Russia's intentions, one or official claimed, in a statement to paper. Immediately in June, Chinese CPC demoted Le Yucheng, vice-minister of foreign affairs and ministry’s top Russian expert after Russian invasion. “He was held responsible for intelligence failure on Russia’s invasion," a Chinese official stated. 

Xi, meanwhile, chose a neutral stance of "peace" despite strengning ties with Russia in face of ongoing military aggression.

“ ro to peace talks will not be smooth, but as long as efforts are not given up, prospect of peace will always exist,” Xi h said. “China will continue to uphold an objective and fair stance, work to bring toger international community, and play a constructive role in peacefully resolving Ukrainian crisis," he said, making China's position clear.