Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the strength of their bilateral relationship during a video call on Wednesday, ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Putin described the Moscow-Beijing partnership as an “important stabilizing factor” amid rising global turbulence, according to Russian state television. Xi, speaking via an interpreter, urged the two countries to develop a “grand plan” to further advance cooperation, describing relations as moving in the right direction.
The two nations formalized a “no limits” strategic partnership shortly before Russia’s February 2022 military offensive in Ukraine. Since then, China has become a key economic ally for Russia, increasing trade while Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow.
Xi and Putin previously met in Beijing last September at a large military parade, also attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. During that event, Xi emphasized that China-Russia relations had “withstood international turbulence” and pledged to coordinate on issues tied to each country’s core interests.
Ukraine and European officials have accused China of providing military support to Russia, a claim Beijing denies, insisting it is not a participant in the conflict. The video call follows high-level diplomatic talks in Beijing on Tuesday, where officials from both countries discussed global security matters and reported reaching a “broad consensus,” according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
