Xi Jinping supports putin's position on war against Ukraine

Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a visit to moscow on May 8, openly expressed support for russia in the war against Ukraine, called vladimir putin an ally in changing the world order and aligned Beijing's position with the key theses of kremlin propaganda.

Reuters reported this with reference to a joint statement by the leaders of China and russia.

The statement emphasizes that the conflict in Ukraine can supposedly be resolved "only by removing its root causes." This formula directly repeats the arguments with which the kremlin justifies the war - "the threat of NATO expansion", "discrimination against Russian speakers" and pressure on the russian language and culture in Ukraine.

"Xi's participation - and the joint statement aligning China with Russia's view of the conflict - provide Putin with an important boost as Russia comes under pressure from the United States to end the war," Reuters journalists note.

During the talks in the kremlin, Xi Jinping said that Beijing and moscow should remain allies despite external pressure: “Russia and China should be true friends of steel that have been through a hundred trials by fire.”

The leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation in all areas, including the military. They promised to “resolutely oppose Washington’s dual containment policy” of both countries and confirmed their intention to personally oversee strategic areas of cooperation, including expanding trade and investment by 2030.

Xi and putin have met dozens of times — their so-called “boundless partnership” was announced in February 2022, less than three weeks before russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. China remains russia’s largest trading partner and provides moscow with economic support that cushions the impact of Western sanctions.

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

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

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

Putin said in a joint statement released on Thursday that the two countries' leaders had set "ambitious goals," highlighting their deepening economic and technological ties and plans to ensure "a significant qualitative advance in 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 have accused China of supporting russia's offensive through exports of dual-use goods, a charge Beijing denies.