Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first conversation of the year, emphasizing that bilateral relations are on the “right track” and highlighting the need for a “grand plan” to further develop cooperation between the two powers.
According to reports, President Xi stressed that China–Russia relations continue to advance steadily, while both leaders expressed commitment to deepening strategic coordination amid rising global geopolitical tensions.
President Putin reportedly described the partnership between Moscow and Beijing as a “stabilizing factor during global turbulence,” a sentiment echoed in Chinese state media citing Russian official sources. The conversation followed a recent meeting in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, signaling ongoing high-level engagement between the two countries.
Both sides pledged to maintain close communication on key bilateral and global issues, while expanding cooperation in areas of mutual strategic interest.
The talks come at a time when Western nations are simultaneously attempting to strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement with China, despite continuing disagreements over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In recent weeks, British and Canadian prime ministers visited Beijing, while Germany’s chancellor is expected to follow later this month, reflecting growing Western efforts to influence China’s stance on global security matters.
Analysts suggest that the conversation between Xi and Putin may also serve as a reassurance to Moscow that Beijing’s position on the Ukraine war remains largely unchanged, despite sustained European pressure on China to distance itself from Russia.
China has continued economic and trade relations with Russia, providing Moscow with partial relief from Western-imposed sanctions, further underscoring the strategic importance of the partnership.
