"One day after President Trump pledged at his inauguration to be a "peacemaker and unifier," the U.S.'s two most powerful adversaries agreed to work more closely on overhauling a world order they see as orbiting around the West.
In a video call on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping promised to work hand-in-hand, in what could prove to be the first indication of a new phase in their deepening confrontation with Washington.
Neither side mentioned the U.S. president in statements released after the call. But with global attention focused on Trump's return to office and the flurry of executive orders he has signed, Beijing and Moscow made clear they are still reading from the same page, whatever is happening in Washington.
The Kremlin ensured nobody missed the point.
In an unusual move, it published footage from the conversation on its website, showing Putin and Xi exchanging cordial greetings, calling each other "dear friend," and issuing brief statements about their growing ties in a short clip from a call Russia said lasted more than 90 minutes.
"Both sides should continue to deepen strategic coordination, firmly support one another, and safeguard both countries' legitimate interests," Xi said, according to a readout by the Chinese side. Putin said there was an "alignment of views on how relations between great powers should be."
Yury Ushakov, a senior adviser to Putin, said the two leaders talked about the need for a peace deal in Ukraine and discussed the situation in the Middle East, Russian state media reported. Putin stressed Russia's support for China over the question of Taiwan, Ushakov said. He said the call was planned in advance and not tied to Trump's inauguration.
Days before thousands of Russian troops crossed into Ukraine as part of a massive force in February 2022, Russia and China declared a "no limits" partnership. They have since deepened ties, aligning on the goal of challenging the U.S.'s influence in the world. Xi and Putin met three times last year, and officials from their governments have shuttled between the two countries.
China is Russia's biggest trading partner, and Moscow's ability to weather a barrage of Western economic sanctions in recent years owes much to its expanding trade with Beijing. China has been supporting Russia's economy by buying its oil and supplying it with everything from washing machines to microelectronics, which can be crucial in the production of weapons.
Trade reached a record $240 billion last year, fueled by Russian oil sales.
New banking sanctions imposed by the U.S. late last year exposed the vulnerability of Russia's economy despite its robust response to recent pressure, plunging the ruble to its lowest level since the early days of the conflict in Ukraine.
For Beijing, Russia offers crucial lessons on how Western sanctions can be circumvented.
The U.S. has accused China of providing Russia with dual-use goods.
Beijing has backed Russia diplomatically over Ukraine, accusing the U.S. of stoking the conflict with weapons supplies to Kyiv." [1]
1. World News: Putin and Xi Pledge Deeper Ties In a Bid to Reshape World Order --- Leaders of Russia, China promise more cooperation in the face of U.S. pressure. Luxmoore, Matthew. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 22 Jan 2025: A9.
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