Chinese President, Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin have signed a joint statement to further strengthen their ties.
This came as Xi and Putin exchanged warm words in the Kremlin during a grand ceremony welcoming the Chinese leader for his 11th visit to Russia, ahead of a military parade to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
After nearly four hours of talks, Xi described his meeting with his Russian counterpart as “in-depth, friendly and fruitful.”
Calling Xi a “dear friend,” Putin said that the talks were “warm and substantive” and ties between Russia and China were stronger than ever before.
He also announced plans to visit China in the autumn to mark the anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the Second World War.
The two leaders presented a united front in opposition to a US-led global order they openly reject.
Their display of solidarity comes as Donald Trump, the US President, wages a trade war against China and pushes Russia toward peace talks over Ukraine.
Ahead of the talks, Xi said that history and reality have fully proven that the continued development and deepening of China-Russia relations is a “natural continuation of the longstanding friendship between our peoples.”
In an article published in Russian media, Xi said that China and Russia had fought side by side in the Second World War.
“Today, 80 years later, unilateralism, hegemony and bullying are extremely harmful. We must learn from history … [and] resolutely oppose all forms of hegemony and power politics and jointly create a better future for mankind.”
Xi Jinping
Hopes in some Washington circles that the Trump administration might have been able to persuade Russia to decouple from China by bolstering the US-Russia relationship appear to have failed with Xi and Putin’s declaration that their countries are closer than ever before.
China has been an economic lifeline for Russia during the war in Ukraine and Kyiv has been increasingly outspoken about what it says is China’s direct aiding of Moscow’s war effort.
Xi used this visit to also underscore Russia’s support for China’s claims on Taiwan.
“Russia has repeatedly reiterated that it adheres to the one-China principle, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’, and firmly supports all measures taken by the Chinese government and people to achieve national reunification.”
Xi Jinping
Western leaders are increasingly worried that China could launch some form of assault on Taiwan in the next few years, with the war in Ukraine providing a template for how such an attack might play out on the world stage.
Moscow, Kyiv Accused Each Other Of Continuing Hostilities
Meanwhile, a three-day ceasefire declared by Russia came into effect, though Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of continuing hostilities.
A Ukrainian military spokesperson reported Russian assaults along several points of the eastern front, while Moscow claimed that Ukrainian forces had twice attempted to breach the border in its Kursk region.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, noted on X, “Predictably, Putin’s ‘Parade ceasefire’ proves to be a farce.”
“According to our military data, despite Putin’s statements, Russian forces continue to attack across the entire frontline. From midnight to midday, Russia committed 734 ceasefire violations and 63 assault operations, 23 of which are ongoing.”
Andrii Sybiha
He added that Ukraine remained ready for “at least 30-day full ceasefire.”
World leaders flying to Moscow for the Victory Day parade on Friday faced the threat of disruption from Ukrainian drone attacks, which forced most of the Russian capital’s airports to close on Wednesday.
The flight of the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, was rerouted. Xi’s plane was escorted by Russian fighter jets.
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