Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow (Picture credit: AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday praised the steady expansion of economic cooperation between Russia and China during a video call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing the partnership as strategic and mutually beneficial. The talks took place amid China’s parallel engagement with Western leaders, even as differences persist over Russia’s war in Ukraine.According to news agency AP, Putin said cooperation in the energy sector was a key pillar of bilateral ties, calling it “truly strategic”. He said Russia and China were also actively working together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and developing high-technology projects, including in industrial production and space research.In remarks broadcast on Russian state television, Putin said Moscow firmly supported joint efforts to protect the sovereignty and security of both countries. “I would like to once again assure you of firm support for our shared efforts to ensure the sovereignty and security of our countries, our socio-economic welfare and the right to choose our own development path,” he said, as per AP.
Xi calls for deeper strategic cooperation
Xi, in opening comments translated by Russian media, said the two leaders would discuss a new “grandiose plan for the development of bilateral ties” and exchange views on major strategic issues. He said China and Russia should use what he described as a “historic opportunity” to further deepen their strategic cooperation, reported AP.Putin also welcomed China’s decision to allow visa-free entry for Russian citizens and underlined cooperation in energy, nuclear power, space and high-tech industries. Referring to the traditional Chinese calendar, he noted that the day marked the beginning of spring and remarked that “any season is springtime in Russia-China relations”.Putin described Russia–China ties as a “stabilising” factor at a time of global turbulence, praising the “exemplary” nature of the partnership. He highlighted strong trade ties, noting that Russia has redirected exports towards Asia after facing wide-ranging Western sanctions over its 2022 offensive in Ukraine.While China has not condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine or called for a withdrawal of troops, many of Ukraine’s allies believe Beijing has offered support to Moscow. Despite this, Putin made no reference to Ukraine during the call, even as Russian, Ukrainian and US negotiators were meeting separately in Abu Dhabi for talks aimed at ending the conflict.
China balances Western outreach and Moscow ties
The call came as several Western leaders have stepped up engagement with Beijing. The British and Canadian prime ministers visited China last month, and the German chancellor is expected to travel to Beijing later this month. European leaders have long urged China to use its influence to rein in Russia, but Beijing has continued trading with Moscow, offering some relief from Western sanctions.Adding to recent diplomatic exchanges, Russian security council secretary Sergey Shoigu visited Beijing last weekend and met China’s top foreign policy official Wang Yi. According to state media, both sides agreed that Russia and China should maintain close ties in what they described as a turbulent global environment.The Putin–Xi call is widely seen as a signal that, despite China’s outreach to Western capitals, its strategic alignment with Russia remains firmly in place.
