Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their growing strategic alliance on Thursday with the signing of a joint statement aimed at “further deepening” their partnership, amid global tensions shaped by US President Donald Trump’s unilateral foreign policy.
The two leaders met for roughly four hours at the Kremlin before signing what Chinese state media described as a “joint statement on further deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.” Such extensive declarations have become routine during the leaders’ frequent bilateral meetings, underscoring their shared ambition to position themselves as a counterbalance to Western influence.
Following the talks, both leaders emphasized the strength of their partnership in what they framed as an unstable international environment. Putin pointed to the alliance as a key force for global equilibrium, saying, “In today’s challenging geopolitical situation and global uncertainty, the Russia-China foreign policy partnership is a key stabilizing factor on the international stage. Together, we defend the formation of a more just and democratic multipolar world order,” according to a Kremlin readout.
Xi, speaking next, echoed that sentiment, describing China and Russia as “stable, positive, and progressive forces in the international community.” He emphasized the importance of collaboration to “lead global governance in the right direction, and promote inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.”
The rhetoric comes against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s disruptive approach to international diplomacy. Under Trump’s “America First” doctrine, the US has withdrawn from multiple United Nations bodies and ignited trade tensions, most notably with China through aggressive tariffs. Earlier Thursday, Xi directly invoked China’s usual criticism of Washington, warning against “an international countercurrent of unilateralism and the hegemonic practices of the powerful,” and noting that China and Russia bear “special responsibilities” in such a climate.
Xi’s four-day visit to Russia, which began Wednesday, also includes participation in Putin’s Victory Day military parade — a heavily choreographed event taking place under the shadow of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The 2025 parade commemorates 80 years since the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
The meeting comes at a time of recalibration for both nations in their respective ties with the US. While Trump has pursued warmer relations with Moscow, particularly during Biden’s absence from the White House, Russia is closely watching the evolving US-Ukraine relationship. China, meanwhile, remains locked in a prolonged trade war with the US, its largest trading partner, amid deepening skepticism in Washington over Beijing’s global ambitions.
Xi and Putin’s demonstration of unity serves not only as a signal to Washington but also as a broader message to the international community: that China and Russia intend to reshape the global order on their own terms.
