Putin and Xi Reaffirm “No-Limits” Partnership Amid Rising Tensions with the West

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping reaffirmed their “no-limits” partnership during a summit in Beijing on Thursday. The two leaders criticized U.S. military alliances in Asia and the Pacific region, as both countries face rising tensions with the West.

At the summit, Putin thanked Xi for China’s proposals for ending the war in Ukraine, which have been rejected by Ukraine and its Western supporters. Putin’s visit to China comes as Russian forces continue their offensive in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, marking the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24, 2022.

China has backed Russia’s contentions that the invasion was provoked by the West and continues to supply key components needed for weapons production. While China claims to take a neutral position in the conflict, it proposed a peace plan in 2023 that was rejected for failing to call for Russia to leave occupied parts of Ukraine.

Both Putin and Xi emphasized the importance of their partnership in the face of global pressure from the U.S. and Europe. The joint statement from China and Russia also criticized U.S. foreign policy, particularly U.S.-formed alliances in the Asia-Pacific region.

The meeting between Putin and Xi highlighted the deepening military ties between Russia and China, with joint war games and technology sharing strengthening their defense capabilities. The two leaders expressed their commitment to deepening integration of interests and working towards mutual achievements.

Overall, the summit reaffirmed the strong alliance between Russia and China, as they navigate challenges in their relationships with the West and seek to assert their influence on the global stage.