Vladimir Putin welcomes China's Xi Jinping in Moscow ahead of Victory Day

Chinese President Xi Jinping was welcomed by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin astatine nan Kremlin connected Thursday arsenic portion of a four-day authorities visit, arsenic Moscow's all-out warfare successful Ukraine, now successful its 4th year, goes on.

At nan gathering betwixt nan 2 leaders, Putin attributed Moscow's and Beijing's strategical practice to "the combat brotherhood" that nan 2 countries built during World War II.

"We are processing our ties for nan use of nan peoples of some countries, and not against anyone. Our narration is based connected equality, communal use and is not driven by short-term considerations," Putin said.

"The volition to build bully neighbourly relations, fortify relationship and grow practice is simply a prime of Russia and nan People’s Republic of China based connected strategical interaction," he added.

Although nan Soviet Union and China were among nan main friends fighting against nan Axis forces, nan 2 did not spot important action broadside by broadside successful World War II.

Xi arrived successful Moscow connected Wednesday up of nan Victory Day parade connected Friday, wherever Putin said nan Chinese president would beryllium Russia's "main guest".

The 2 leaders are besides expected to talk trade, Russia's proviso of lipid and state to China, arsenic good arsenic practice wrong BRICS — a bloc of alleged emerging economies — Putin's overseas argumentation adviser, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed.

Putin and Xi person met complete 40 times and deepened their ties amid increasing tensions pinch nan West.

China-Russia relations

China has consistently offered negotiated support to Moscow and condemned Western sanctions since Russia's full-scale penetration of Ukraine successful early 2022.

Beijing has besides been a superior root of machinery and electronics aft Western sanctions curtailed high-tech supplies, and is simply a apical marketplace for Russian lipid and gas.

In return, Moscow has consistently voiced support for Beijing connected Taiwan-related issues, which China does not recognise arsenic an independent country.

Additionally, 2 Chinese citizens fighting arsenic portion of nan Russian service were captured successful eastbound Ukraine successful April, raising fears Beijing mightiness beryllium progressive successful Moscow's warfare pinch boots connected nan ground.

The bilateral gathering comes astatine an awkward time, soon aft European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa exchanged messages pinch Xi to observe nan 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.

Both statements by nan EU and China emphasised nan willingness to deepen their ties and expressed a communal liking successful tackling world challenges together.

This cooperative stance betwixt nan 2 nations contrasts starkly pinch their much analyzable narration successful 2023, erstwhile von der Leyen called retired "the much fierce posture and unfair economical title from China" and denounced Beijing for its relations pinch Moscow.

However, US President Donald Trump's return to nan White House and preamble of world tariffs forced nan EU to reconsider its relations.