Xi, Putin Vow Closer Ties, Back Talks on Ukraine War
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their nations’ strategic partnership during a tea meeting in Moscow on Thursday, May 8, pledging to deepen coordination amid global instability.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry official readout, Xi emphasized that China and Russia will continue to cooperate closely despite international pressures, saying no external force could block their development or their long-term friendship.
On the war in Ukraine, Xi reiterated China’s support for a diplomatic solution through dialogue and negotiations, stressing that global security must address the legitimate concerns of all countries and tackle the root causes of crises.
Putin reportedly expressed appreciation for China’s “objective” approach and said Russia is ready to enter peace talks with Ukraine without preconditions, aiming for what Moscow described as a fair and lasting agreement.
Both leaders criticized Western influence in global affairs and called for a more multipolar, democratic world order.
China has positioned itself as a mediator in Ukraine’s war, though its neutrality has been questioned by Western governments given its close ties to Moscow.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Moscow on Thursday for a state visit ahead of Russia’s grand Victory Day celebrations.
During a meeting at the Kremlin, Putin told Xi: “Together with our Chinese friends, we firmly stand on guard of historical truth, protect the memory of events of the war years and counter modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism.”
Xi reaffirmed Beijing’s alignment with Moscow, taking aim at what he called “hegemonic bullying” – a clear reference to the United States.
“In the face of the international counter-current of unilateralism and hegemonic bullying behaviour, China will work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major world powers,” Xi said.
Ahead of the meeting, Putin described Xi as his “dear friend,” while Xi referred to the Kremlin leader as his “old friend.”
Moreover, Russia and China on Thursday condemned US President Donald Trump’s “Iron Dome for America” missile defense plan as “deeply destabilizing,” warning it risks turning space into a “battlefield.”
“The recently announced large-scale ‘Golden (Iron) Dome for America’ program is also deeply destabilizing,” Russia and China said in a Kremlin statement after talks between Putin and Xi.
Source: Kyiv Post