Russia and China have agreed to intensify their cooperation to counteract US efforts to contain both countriesaccording to a joint statement published by the Kremlin. The document, issued after the conversations between the Russian president, Vladimir Putinand his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinpinghe also pointed out that Moscow and Beijing will continue to strengthen their military cooperation.
Xi Jinping has affirmed with Putin that his two countries should be “Steel Friends“, While they have pledged to boost their support at a time of growing confrontation with the West. In conversations at the Kremlin, leaders have presented themselves as Defenders of a new world order that is no longer dominated by the United States.
Both countries must consolidate the basis of their cooperation and “eliminate external interference,” said XI, whose country is currently immersed in a tariff war initiated by US President Donald Trump. Although Trump has several times the Chinese disposition to renegotiate tariffs, Beijing has been reluctant to make their intentions public.
XI is the most powerful of the more than two dozen foreign leaders who visit Moscow this week to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a celebration of enormous importance for Russia for their role in the conflict.
In this context, XI’s participation is an important impulse for Putin in a moment of acute geopolitical tensions with Washington, which in recent weeks has pressed with Europe to start conversations that end the war in Ukraine.
Russia and China affirm that Aukus drives tensions
Russia and China have declared in the joint statement that the Defense Pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States (Aukus) was promoting a regional arms race in Asia-Pacific.
Both countries have branded from “provocative“The accelerated purchase of long-range missiles by military allies from countries with weapons. In this case, the complaint refers to the recent announcement of Australia to acquire SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles worth 4.5 billion euros to the United States.
Impulse to the strategic association “without limits”
Putin and XI They have gathered in tens of occasions. In February 2022, three weeks before the start of the invasion of Ukraine, they signed a strategic association “without limits”. China is Russia’s main business partner and has provided Moscow with an economic lifeguard that has helped him overcome Western sanctions. In turn, military support, although notable, has not been as significant as that of Iran or North Korea.
Internationally, the visit of XI and other leaders during the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II helps Putin demonstrate that has powerful allies and what years of western sanctions have failed to isolate the Euroasy giant.
Regarding the celebration, Chinese troops They will participate in Friday’s military parade in the Plaza Roja. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine urged the countries on Tuesday not to send their military to participate, arguing that this would go against the declared neutrality of some countries in the war.
In fact, in his opening words after greeting XI in one of the most opulent salons of Kremlin, Putin thanked him for his visit to commemorate the 80 years of the “Sagrada Victoria“About Adolf Hitler.
“The victory over fascism, achieved at the expense of enormous sacrifices, has a lasting transcendence,” said Putin. “Together with our Chinese friendswe firmly defend the historical truth, we protect the memory of the events of the years of war and counteract the modern manifestations of neo -Nazism and militarism, “he said.
In the first months of conflict, Putin presented his war in Ukraine as a fight against modern Nazis. Ukraine and his allies reject that characterization as a grotesque falsehood, accusing Moscow of carrying out an imperialist invasion.
