On May 8, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin convened at the Kremlin, reinforcing their nations’ strategic partnership and presenting a united front against Western influence. The meeting coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II, a significant event in Russia’s national history.
During their discussions, Xi and Putin signed a comprehensive joint statement aimed at deepening bilateral relations across various sectors, including military cooperation. The leaders emphasized their commitment to countering what they described as the United States’ “dual containment” strategy against Russia and China. They portrayed themselves as defenders of a new multipolar world order, challenging the current U.S.-led international system.
Economic collaboration was a focal point of the summit. Russia’s state development bank, VEB, announced plans to fund joint projects with Chinese companies, allocating approximately $42.74 billion towards initiatives in sectors such as gas, metallurgy, timber processing, and shipbuilding. This move underscores the growing economic ties between the two nations, especially in light of Western sanctions imposed on Russia due to its actions in Ukraine.
Energy cooperation was also on the agenda. Russian and Chinese officials discussed potential Chinese participation in new Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects. Chinese enterprises, including the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), are already stakeholders in existing Russian LNG projects. The talks aim to expand this collaboration, reflecting China’s growing role in Russia’s energy sector.
Xi’s visit to Moscow, his 11th as president, is seen as a significant show of support for Putin amid ongoing tensions with the West. The leaders’ alignment on various issues, including their stance on the Ukraine conflict, highlights the strengthening of Sino-Russian relations in the face of global geopolitical challenges.
The summit between Xi and Putin signals a continued shift towards closer cooperation between China and Russia, with both nations seeking to assert their influence on the global stage and challenge the existing international order dominated by the United States and its allies.
Source; Reuters
