"United front" Xi and Putin stand strong against international pressure
Authoritarian Leaders Xi and Putin to Meet: Unity Among World's Strongest Autocrats Strengthened
Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Moscow, the guest of honor at Russia's military parade commemorating victory over Nazi Germany. During his visit, Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reiterated their strong alliance, criticizing what they view as the "harassment" from the US.
Xi and Putin have emphasized that the current geopolitical climate requires a strong Russian-Chinese foreign policy connection, stating that it is the "most important stabilizing factor" on the international stage. They described their discussions as "warm and fruitful" and labeled their relationship as "mutually beneficial" and based on "equal footing."
This partnership between the leaders is not a new development, with over 40 meetings between them since Xi became President. Historically, their relationship has been underpinned by shared geopolitical interests and a common stance against perceived Western hegemony. In the current context, this cooperation includes economic ties, political support, military and security coordination, and strategic alignment.
China is a valuable market for Russian oil and gas, while supplying Russia with machinery and electronics, especially after Western sanctions limited Moscow's access to high-tech goods. On the diplomatic front, China has provided consistent support to Russia, particularly in international forums and in relation to issues like Taiwan and Ukraine, in exchange for vocal support from Russia on sensitive matters.
There have also been reports of Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, although official policy remains ambiguous. Both leaders have highlighted a deepening "political mutual trust" and a shared responsibility to "shoulder the special responsibilities of major world powers" in the face of perceived Western "hegemonic bullying."
This partnership presents a united front that challenges Western dominance, particularly in international organizations and on issues such as sanctions, territorial claims, and global governance. It also accelerates economic decoupling, as both countries increasingly rely on each other for critical supplies and markets, reducing their dependence on Western economies. The cooperation reinforces the trend toward a multipolar world, with both nations advocating for a global order that is less centered on Western values and institutions.
Meanwhile, Putin has announced plans for a reciprocal visit to China at a later date. Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia and China have strengthened their cooperation, with China presenting itself as a neutral party in the conflict but repeatedly being accused by Western countries of economically and diplomatically supporting Russia.
On a separate note, despite Putin ordering the Russian army to lay down arms for three days in light of the upcoming military parade celebrations, Ukraine accused Russia of breaking the ceasefire after just a few hours. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia attacked the Sumy region in eastern Ukraine with guided bombs overnight. However, the Russian army stated that it was adhering to the ceasefire and that it was merely responding to "violations" by the Ukrainian army.
Sources: ntv.de, [1] mdi/dpa/AFP
- The European Union, emphasizing a common defense policy, has expressed concerns about the strengthening partnership between China and Russia, stating that it presents a challenge to the current international order, particularly in issues such as global governance and sanctions.
- In response to the Russian-Chinese alliance, some Western nations have accused China of unilateralism, citing its vague stance on the conflict in Ukraine, where reports suggest Chinese nationals have been fighting alongside Russian forces.
- However, China supports Russia in international forums, particularly on issues like Taiwan and Ukraine, in exchange for vocal support from Russia on sensitive matters. This support is a key aspect of their leaders' policy of challenging Western dominance.
- The Beijing-Moscow relationship, rooted in shared geopolitical interests and a common stance against perceived Western hegemony, also includes economic ties, military and security coordination, and a mutual commitment to shoulder the special responsibilities of major world powers, as they view themselves as key players in shaping the future of global politics.
