Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his country’s “exemplary” ties with Beijing during a video conference with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on Wednesday.
The two leaders talked for almost an hour and a half; they discussed the US-backed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine as well as developments concerning Iran, Venezuela and Cuba.
“The Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction is exemplary,” Putin said, as quoted by the Kremlin.
Putin noted the robust economic and energy ties between the two nations, highlighting that bilateral trade turnover has stabilized at a consistently high level, exceeding $200 billion annually. He also emphasized Russia’s position as a leading supplier of energy resources to the Asian country.
Putin assured Xi of firm support for all joint efforts to ensure the sovereignty and security of the two countries, their economic prosperity, and their right to choose their own path of development.
Following the imposition of Ukraine-related Western sanctions against Russia, Moscow redirected the bulk of its energy exports to Asia, including China, and accelerated the switch to using their national currencies in trade. In November, the Russian Finance Ministry said 99.1% of trade between Moscow and Beijing had already shifted to rubles and yuan to reduce reliance on Western financial institutions.
China and Russia should work together to maintain global strategic stability amid an increasingly turbulent international situation, Xi Jinping said, as cited by Xinhua.
The positions of Moscow and Beijing are aligned on many issues, according to Putin aide Yury Ushakov. Their stance on Iran and Venezuela is grounded in a shared commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, particularly state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. They jointly oppose unilateral sanctions and have condemned foreign military intervention.
As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia have the obligation to encourage the international community to uphold fairness and justice, defend the UN-centered international system and uphold international law, the Chinese leader stated.
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Xi invited Putin to visit China this year, and the Russian president accepted the invitation, Ushakov added. He said the two leaders have agreed to maintain close contact.
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