Asger Risom
Putin and Xi Signal United Front Against U.S. Influence
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow for a four-day state visit, his 11th to Russia, in a show of strategic solidarity with President Vladimir Putin. The visit is seen as a significant diplomatic boost for Russia as it seeks to counter claims of international isolation following its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Strategic Partnership on Display
Xi’s trip is expected to yield numerous agreements aimed at strengthening the two countries’ “no-limits” strategic partnership. As reported by Digi24, China has become Russia’s top trading partner, purchasing increasing amounts of oil and gas while offering economic support amid Western sanctions.
In an article published in Russian media, Xi emphasized the need to “firmly maintain the post-war international order” and urged both nations to resist any attempts to disrupt their mutual trust.
Moscow’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the visit as “one of the key events” in bilateral relations this year.
The two leaders are expected to discuss sensitive topics such as energy cooperation and the long-delayed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov indicated that Putin may pay a reciprocal visit to China later this year.
Military Parade and Political Optics
Xi is scheduled to meet Putin for formal talks on Thursday and will join other global leaders on Friday for a Victory Day military parade in Red Square, commemorating 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany. Chinese troops will also participate.
The parade takes place amid international scrutiny.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has called on nations to boycott the event, arguing that participation undermines declared neutrality in the ongoing war. Nevertheless, Beijing and Moscow remain committed to showcasing their alliance.
Both nations continue to criticize U.S. “unilateralism” and project themselves as defenders of the United Nations system and post-WWII global order. According to Chinese analyst Yun Sun, the visit is a calculated rebuttal to Washington’s attempts to fracture the growing Moscow-Beijing axis.