• Xi Jinping says China is ready to increase political cooperation with Russia.
• Putin noted record commerce despite “unfavorable market conditions.”
• Putin says Russia-China partnership more important than ever.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Friday, that Beijing was prepared to step up political cooperation with Moscow.

This was translated by Russian state media.

“Against the background of a difficult international situation, China is ready to increase political cooperation with Russia” and “to be global partners,” Xi said, according to the Russian state media report.

Putin says Russia-China partnership more important than ever amid “unprecedented pressure and provocations from the West”

Friday’s video conference between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin began with a reaffirmation of their shared alliance in the face of worldwide criticism of Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine.

Putin stated during his opening remarks, which were aired on Russian state television, that the stabilizing influence of the Russia-China partnership was becoming even more crucial in light of the rising global tensions.

In the spring of 2023, he invited Xi to Moscow, saying that relations between the Russian Federation and China were “the finest in history” and could “withstand all tests.”

“We share the same views on the causes, course and logic of the ongoing transformation of the global geopolitical landscape,” Putin said. “In the face of unprecedented pressure and provocations from the West, we defend our principled positions and defend not only our own interests, but also all those who stand for a truly democratic system and the right of countries to freely determine their own destiny.”

“We share the same views on the causes, course and logic of the ongoing transformation of the global geopolitical landscape,” Putin said. “In the face of unprecedented pressure and provocations from the West, we defend our principled positions and defend not only our own interests, but also all those who stand for a truly democratic system and the right of countries to freely determine their own destiny.”

The Russian leader also pointed to record growth in trade, despite “unfavorable market conditions,” a veiled reference to sanctions, and said they would increase trade turnover to $200 billion ahead of schedule.

Putin also said that the two countries would strengthen cooperation between their armed forces: “We intend to strengthen cooperation between the armed forces of Russia and China.”

[embedpost slug=”xi-jinping-says-china-is-ready-to-work-with-russia-on-certain-core-interests/”]