Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during a signing ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
May 8, 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have pledged to elevate bilateral cooperation and counter U.S. influence in a meeting at the Kremlin on Thursday. Referring to their alliance as being “friends of steel”, the two leaders vowed to strengthen military ties and coordinate efforts against what they described as Washington’s policy of “dual containment”.
Joint Stance on the Ukraine Conflict
In a joint statement, Russia and China reiterated that the conflict in Ukraine could only be resolved by addressing its “root causes”, a term Russia uses to justify its military actions as a response to the perceived threat of Ukraine joining NATO. Ukraine and its allies, however, reject this reasoning as a false pretext for an invasion.
Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow, part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, signals significant diplomatic support for Russia as it faces U.S. pressure to end the war. Xi’s involvement serves as a morale boost for Putin amid ongoing Western criticism and sanctions.
Reinforcing Strategic Partnership
Xi emphasized the importance of “eliminating external interference” and countering “unilateralism and bullying”, indirectly referring to U.S. policies. The leaders reaffirmed the “no limits” strategic partnership signed in February 2022, shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, China has provided Russia with economic support, helping Moscow endure Western sanctions.
Putin and Xi committed to personally overseeing key elements of their nations’ cooperation, aiming for a significant increase in trade and investment by 2030. They also presented themselves as “defenders of historical truth”, commemorating the Soviet Union’s role in World War II while omitting the contributions of the United States, Britain, and other Allied nations.
Ceasefire Issues
Putin declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire with Ukraine beginning Thursday, marking the World War II anniversary. However, Ukraine has not recognized the truce, accusing Russia of continuing hostilities and calling the ceasefire a political maneuver. Moscow, in turn, has accused Kyiv of ongoing military actions.
Xi Jinping has called for negotiations to end the conflict and criticized the U.S. for providing weapons to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed hopes that Xi could persuade Putin to halt the war.
Domestic Significance
The World War II anniversary serves as an opportunity for Putin to rally domestic support, emphasizing the Soviet Union’s sacrifice during the war, in which 27 million people perished. Putin linked the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to the historical fight against fascism, a narrative dismissed by Ukraine and its Western allies as a distortion of history.
Global Implications
The strengthened China-Russia alliance marks a notable development in the global balance of power, as both nations signal their commitment to resist U.S. dominance and advocate for a new world order. The ongoing trade war between China and the U.S. further complicates the geopolitical landscape, reinforcing Beijing and Moscow’s alignment.
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