Chinese and Russian Leaders Deepen Alliance at Moscow Meeting During WWII Victory Celebrations
MOSCOW – Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin strengthened their strategic partnership on Thursday, declaring their countries should be “friends of steel” and jointly opposing what they described as American influence and “bullying” on the global stage.
During high-level talks at the Kremlin, the two leaders signed a joint statement pledging to “strengthen coordination in order to decisively counter Washington’s course of ‘dual containment’ of Russia and China.” The meeting coincided with Moscow’s celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
“The two countries should solidify the foundations of their cooperation and eliminate external interference,” Xi told Putin during their meeting. “We should be true friends of steel that have been through a hundred trials by fire.”
The joint declaration specifically addressed the Ukraine conflict, stating it could only be resolved by addressing its “root causes” – language Russia has consistently used to justify its invasion based on concerns about Ukraine potentially joining NATO. Western nations and Ukraine reject this characterization.
Xi’s high-profile visit to Moscow provides Putin with significant diplomatic support as Russia faces continued pressure from the United States to end the war in Ukraine. The two leaders portrayed themselves as defenders of a new world order no longer dominated by American interests.
Putin welcomed Xi by emphasizing their shared historical perspective, thanking him for coming to mark what he called the “sacred” victory over Adolf Hitler. “Together with our Chinese friends, we firmly stand guard over historical truth,” Putin said, adding they jointly “counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism.”
The joint statement notably described Russia and China as the “main victorious states” in World War Two, omitting mention of the United States, Britain, and other Allied powers’ contributions.
The meeting occurs against the backdrop of Russia’s announced three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which began Thursday but was quickly characterized as a “farce” by Ukraine’s foreign minister, who claimed Russia had already violated it. Ukraine has instead proposed a minimum 30-day ceasefire.
China remains Russia’s largest trading partner and has provided Moscow with crucial economic support amid Western sanctions. The leaders pledged to personally oversee key aspects of their relationship, aiming to substantially boost trade and investment by 2030.
President Xi’s statements about the Ukraine conflict called for diplomatic talks while criticizing U.S. weapons supplies to Kyiv, reflecting China’s continued balancing act in the conflict while strengthening ties with Moscow.
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