Putin, Xi hold talks in moscow ahead of May 9, sign joint statement

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and russian president vladimir putin signed a joint statement on “further deepening” their partnership after talks in moscow today, May 8.

It was reported by CNN.

In the kremlin, after about four hours of talks, the two leaders signed what Chinese state media called a “joint statement on further deepening the China-russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in a new era.”

In their comments afterward, both leaders sought to portray their relationship as a key force for protecting and improving world order — despite Western characterizations of the partnership and even as russia continues its years-long invasion of Ukraine.

"In the current difficult geopolitical situation and global uncertainty, the Russian-Chinese foreign policy partnership is a key stabilizing factor on the international stage," putin said, according to a kremlin statement.

Meanwhile, Xi called the two countries "stable, positive and progressive forces in the international community" and urged them to work together to "steer global governance in the right direction and promote inclusive economic globalization that benefits all."

The statement came as the United States withdrew from several UN bodies and rattled markets with threats of a global trade war.

Xi Jinping arrived in russia on Wednesday for a four-day state visit, where he will lead a list of foreign leaders who will take part in putin's military parade ahead of russia's Victory Day holiday.

Putin had welcomed Xi as the “chief guest” at the events ahead of his arrival, and on the morning of May 8, the russian leader welcomed Xi to the kremlin, where they shook hands and then posed for photos against a backdrop of huge Chinese and russian flags.

During their opening remarks, each called the other a “friend,” and Xi described their relationship as “restrained and confident, stable and resilient.”

Putin said that in a joint statement released on Thursday, the two leaders had set “ambitious goals,” highlighting their deepening economic and technological ties and plans to ensure “significant qualitative advancement of russian-Chinese trade and investment by 2030.”

The two countries achieved record trade volumes last year as China became a key economic lifeline for russia, which is under sanctions and waging war in Ukraine. Western leaders accuse China of supporting the russian offensive through the export of dual-use goods, which Beijing denies.

As a reminder, on May 6, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation recommended that the parliament call on foreign states to boycott the "victory parade" on May 9 in the aggressor country, the russian federation.

The kremlin expects that leaders of 29 world countries, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping, will arrive for the parade in the capital of the aggressor country, russia.