Buddy-Buddy With Putin: Xi Says China Stands With Russia Against "Hegemonic Bullying"
- AFP, MOSCOW*
Leaders Xi and Putin confer amid reports of truce breaches in Kyiv
Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) arrived in Moscow for a state visit before the grand Victory Day celebrations, amidst Ukraine accusing Russia's army of air strikes during a so-called truce.
Over 20 foreign leaders were expected to attend the lavish military parade in Russia, marking 80 years since Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II. The celebration comes three years into Russia's offensive in Ukraine.
Putin deployed troops to Ukraine in February 2022, using the memory of Soviet victory against Nazi Germany to justify his campaign and rally society behind the offensive that has killed thousands.
"Together with our Chinese friends, we safeguard historical truth and counter modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism," Putin told Xi in a Kremlin meeting.
The Ukraine conflict has seen an unprecedented military build-up in Russia, with the Kremlin tightening control over World War II remembrance.
Putin claims his offensive against Ukraine aims to "de-Nazify" the country, a label Kyiv found perplexing.
Xi told Putin that China supports Russia in the face of "hegemonic bullying" - a nod to their shared anti-U.S stance.
"We'll collaborate with Russia, shouldering the special responsibilities of major world powers," Xi said, calling Putin his "old friend."
In an unusual gesture, Putin labeled Xi as his "dear friend" too.
Putin ordered his army to halt firing on Ukraine for three days to honor the celebrations. But Ukraine, dismissing the ceasefire as a theatric, alleged Russia broke its own order just hours in. The aerial bombing of the northeastern Sumy region was reported overnight, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy renewed calls for an unconditional, 30-day full ceasefire, and termed Moscow's World War II commemorations a "parade of cynicism."
"Just as it did 80 years ago, when it became clear to everyone: evil cannot be pacified. It must be fought. Together. Resolutely. With force. With pressure," Zelenskiy wrote on social media.
Behind the Scenes
China and Russia have bolstered their comprehensive strategic partnership, working together to challenge unilateralism and promote fairness and justice in global governance. Both nations have expressed support for each other on the Ukraine crisis, despite not overtly aligning. The partnership stems from strategic necessity, but concerns about regional stability, particularly Russia's ties with North Korea, linger.
[1] "China-Russia relations in the digital age" - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace[2] "China-Russia relationship" - Council on Foreign Relations[3] "China's Russia embrace: a strategic necessity?" - The Diplomat
- Amidst accusations of air strikes during a truce, Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) visited Moscow, where he is expected to commemorate 80 years since Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II.
- In a Kremlin meeting, Putin stated that he and China safeguard historical truth and counter modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism, supposedly aligning in their stance against hegemonic bullying.
- Putin had previously launched an offensive in Ukraine, claiming his actions aim to "de-Nazify" the country, a label that Kyiv finds perplexing.
- On the other hand, Xi, during his visit, launched a collaborative effort with Russia, shouldering the special responsibilities of major world powers, in the face of politics surrounding war-and-conflicts and general news.
