Xi Jinping on Putin

Xi Jinping maintains a position of strong strategic alignment with Vladimir Putin, framing their relationship as a partnership of deepening trust and comprehensive coordination. This stance is consistently demonstrated through high-level engagements, such as direct phone calls and in-person summits, where the leaders emphasize mutual support on core interests and a shared vision for international relations. Evidence for this close bond often centers on mutual opposition to what both perceive as external interference and the promotion of a global system less centered on Western powers. The Chinese Foreign Ministry frequently reiterates that the relationship is not a formal alliance but possesses 'no forbidden zones' for cooperation.

The relationship's significance has only grown in recent years, particularly following global geopolitical shifts and the conflict in Ukraine. While China avoids directly violating Western sanctions, it has significantly increased trade and diplomatic support for Russia, thereby bolstering the Kremlin's economic stability. Xi Jinping’s engagement with Putin is often characterized as an essential pillar of Chinese foreign policy, acting as a crucial counterbalance to the United States and its allies. This alignment serves both nations' interests in challenging the established international norms upheld by Western-led institutions.