United Leaders Display Unity at Victory Parade: Putin and Xi Present a Counterpoint to Western Powers
Headbanging with Autocrats: Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin Rock Moscow
For multiple days in May, a group of Chinese elite soldiers strut their stuff through the heart of Moscow – creating quite the spectacle during the city's annual Victory Parade. While Chinese and Russian soldiers, weapons, tanks, and nuclear missiles shared the limelight, it wasn't just a friendly display of camaraderie between Moscow and Beijing.
Vladimir Putin, Russia's strongman leader, and Xi Jinping, China's president, were sitting side by side on the reviewing stand – a clear indication that Russia and China, once bitter enemies, are closer than ever. So close that they've engaged in several joint military exercises over the past year.
This partnership isn't merely cordial; it's solid and unshakeable, like a Russian nesting doll. While America often plays the villain in this story, Russia and China share a common foe, and former allies have become firm allies.
Last weekend, Xi was in Moscow, meeting with Putin to discuss future economic ventures and shared strategic objectives. Coincidentally, or not, present at the grand Victory Parade in Moscow were the heads of state from 28 other countries. This allowed Putin to show the world:
Russia isn't a global pariah due to its invasion of Ukraine – instead, Russia's surrounded by an assortment of international leaders who oppose Western dominance.
Taking the lead was China's President Xi Jinping. Even before meeting with Putin, Xi drew a moral parallel between American "hegemony" today and the "arrogant fascist forces" of decades past in an opinion piece for Russian and Chinese media outlets.
"We've persevered for 4,000 years without the USA," he penned. "The righteous forces of the world, including China and the Soviet Union, fought bravely... and won." But: "80 years later, unilateralism, hegemony, and bullying are extremely harmful. The world faces another crossroads."
Putin nodded in agreement. "Together with our Chinese friends, we stand on the side of historical truth," he said on Victory Day. "Together, we stand against modern manifestations of Nazism and militarism." This was a coded reference to Ukraine, which Russia's president claims is overrun by Nazis.
Putin's War Chest: A Russian Roulette Game
Xi and Putin may seem friendly on the outside, but deep down, they're like two wolves lurking in the darkness. Without China's tacit approval, Putin wouldn't have the resources to keep waging war against Ukraine: China provided technical aid and even purchased massive amounts of Russian energy to fill Putin's war chest.
Trade between Russia and China has surged since the beginning of Russia's military offensive in Ukraine in 2022 – increasing by more than 60% since then and reaching approximately $245 billion last year. To put it simply, Putin owes China big time.
Interestingly, it seems that Xi is also trying to keep Putin sweet. The Kremlin leader is currently Court Jester to Donald Trump's King of Chaos – who's trying to broker a peace deal for Ukraine while putting a 145% tariff on China. China retaliated with a 125% tariff on American goods.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, China can't afford to let Trump drive a wedge between it and its ally Russia. So, China's leader is bestowing upon the Kremlin leader a favor that no other head of state has enjoyed: Four full days in Moscow. Four days for Xi and Putin to bond over their shared enmity for the United States, even as Putin makes a play for Ukraine and Xi defends Taiwan. Four days for the Chinese leader to offer a few reminders: The enemy is in Washington.
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- In a show of solidarity, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, despite their recent military exercises, held a meeting in Moscow to discuss future economic and social policy ventures.
- Despite international criticism over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin found support in Xi Jinping, who sat beside him during the grand Victory Parade in Moscow, sending a clear message to the world.
- In a striking display, China provided substantial technical aid and purchased large quantities of Russian energy, bolstering Putin's resources in his ongoing conflict, creating an interdependence between the two countries.
- Amidst political tensions with the United States, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin found common ground, each vocalizing their opposition to unilateralism, hegemony, and bullying in their respective media outlets.
