Russia's President Putin and China's Leader Xi seek perpetual existence: Implications for the Western World

In the ever-evolving landscape of global politics, Europe finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with questions of independence and security. As the continent continues to look to Washington for guidance in elections and security policy, it remains vulnerable and exposed.

Meanwhile, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have solidified their grip on power, tailoring their political systems to their own persons. Putin, with the constitutional reform, can legally remain in power until 2036, but biologically, his rule may be limited. Similarly, Xi abolished the term limit for the presidency in 2018, placing himself above the party.

This concentration of power has led to the hollowing out of institutions and the abolishment of succession plans, with loyalties solely focused on the leaders themselves. Europe cannot rely on time to solve the problem with Putin, as he sees no reason to de-escalate. It is urgent for the EU to build its own planning and deterrence capabilities, going beyond Washington and remaining capable of autonomous action in crisis situations.

The EU must also structurally secure arms deliveries and financial aid to Ukraine, to undermine Putin's calculation. Europe's security must be based on robust institutions, reliable alliances, and its own agency, rather than on the weakness of autocrats.

Innovation clusters in Russia, such as Innopraktika, led by mathematician and engineer Katerina Tikhonova, are working on projects in neurotechnology and robotics. Meanwhile, Maria Woronzowa, an endocrinologist, is reportedly involved in state-funded projects covering genome editing, stem cell medicine, and regenerative therapies. Recent conversations between Russian and Chinese leaders have touched on ambitions of life extension via organ transplantation technologies, although no specific researchers or institutes in Russia have been named in this regard.

The unintentionally intercepted conversation between Putin and Xi is a symptom of how biological mortality has become a geopolitical category in Moscow and Beijing. Putin believes that demographic trends, such as global aging, confirm that the future is on his side.

For the West, classic negotiations with autocrats like Putin are hardly possible, as they view time as a weapon. For NATO, it is crucial to credibly build up deterrence, independent of Putin's biological age.

As for Xi, potential use of Taiwan as a stage to demonstrate his strength adds another layer of complexity to the geopolitical chessboard. Autocrats like Putin and Xi may calculate differently in foreign policy, with Putin focusing on endurance in the Ukraine war and Xi potentially using Taiwan as a demonstration of strength.

In this shifting landscape, Europe must navigate carefully, relying on its own strength and alliances, and building a future that is independent and secure.

Russia's President Putin and China's Leader Xi seek perpetual existence: Implications for the Western World