Putin and China’s Xi Say They’re Closer Than Ever Amid U.S. Tensions

The relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping is currently “unprecedented,” according to a new report from the Kremlin and China.

Putin has sought refuge in his relationship with Xi, who is among a short list of world leaders who have remained cordial with the longtime Russian president following his decision to invade Ukraine in 2022. The war will hit the two-year mark on February 24, with no end in sight.

Western nations, as part of a galvanized North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), have consistently opposed Russia’s actions in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and have imposed heavy sanctions on Russia. The United States, which has considered China its biggest long-term foe on a global stage, is split in Congress and especially in the House of Representatives on providing additional foreign aid to Ukraine.

“Heads of states summed up the development of Sino-Russian comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation over the recent period,” said a statement by the Kremlin, according to Russian state-owned media outlet Tass. It refers to a telephone conversation between Putin and Xi celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Friendly ties between Moscow and China “are at an unprecedentedly high level,” the statement said, with the Kremlin boasting how $200 billion in bilateral trade volume hit a record $228 billion in 2023, surpassing a $200 billion goal set by both leaders.

Newsweek reached out to the Kremlin and Chinese authorities via email for comment.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) on March 21, 2023, in Moscow, Russia. The pair spoke on February 8, 2024, and said their current relationship is as good as it’s… Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) on March 21, 2023, in Moscow, Russia. The pair spoke on February 8, 2024, and said their current relationship is as good as it’s ever been. More Getty Images

The pair chastised the U.S. and other foreign adversaries for “interference,” discouraging “external sources” from meddling in their governmental affairs, per the statement.

Moscow and Beijing should “cultivate new momentum for cooperation,” Xi said, according to reports citing a call readout by Chinese state media.

“The two sides should strengthen strategic co-ordination, safeguard the national sovereignty, security and development interests of their respective countries, and resolutely oppose external interference in their internal affairs,” Xi said.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, told reporters that Russia and China had “close approaches on key international issues” and “do not and will not accept” U.S. policy towards them, according to Russian state-run media outlet RIA Novosti.

“Mutual rejection was expressed of the U.S. course aimed at interfering in the internal affairs of other states,” Ushakov said.

Putin reportedly expressed solidarity with Xi and China regarding Taiwan, which Beijing has described as a rogue province. The U.S., which has long feared that China will attack Taiwan militarily and economically, has attempted to provide more foreign aid to Taiwan—a legislative measure that failed due to provisions associated with the rejected Senate border bill.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday during a speech at the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., that while Russia currently poses the “most immediate” challenge to the world order, China is “the biggest long-term challenge NATO allies face, and therefore we need to address it.”

He said that targeting Taiwan could result in similar global vitriol to what has occurred to Russia due to its actions in Ukraine.

Defense Department Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters on Tuesday that the Pentagon wants Congress to swiftly approve the “critically important” national security supplemental that would provide another $60 billion in funding for Ukraine.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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