Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their nations' deepening partnership during a video call on Tuesday, just one day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. The timing of the exchange, which emphasized a shared vision of a "multipolar world order," appeared to underscore Moscow and Beijing's intent to coordinate their positions as the new U.S. administration signals potential shifts in foreign policy.
Speaking from his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Putin described Xi as a "dear friend" and hailed the "broad commonality of national interests" between the two countries. "We build our ties on the basis of friendship, mutual trust and support, equality, and mutual benefit," Putin said in remarks carried by Russian state television. "These connections are self-sufficient, independent of domestic political factors and the current global situation."
Xi, addressing Putin with the same term of endearment, echoed his counterpart's sentiments. He praised the strengthening ties between their nations, calling them a source of "positive energy" for reforming the global system. Both leaders highlighted their shared vision of resisting Western dominance and fostering a world order that aligns with their interests.
The call comes as both Russia and China face significant geopolitical pressures from the United States. Russia continues its protracted conflict in Ukraine, battling NATO-backed forces, while China contends with an intensified U.S. focus on countering its military and economic expansion. The U.S. has described China as its primary competitor and Russia as its principal state-level threat.
Putin and Xi's call centered on consolidating their nations' partnership in the face of these pressures. "We jointly advocate building a more just multipolar world order, and we are working in the interests of ensuring indivisible security in the Eurasian space and the world as a whole," Putin said.
The leaders' dialogue also touched on economic cooperation. Putin noted that China remains Russia's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $245 billion in 2024. Russia has become a major supplier of energy to China, with Chinese markets serving as the top destination for Russian oil exports. Both countries pledged to deepen collaboration on nuclear energy projects, including fast neutron reactors and nuclear fuel reprocessing.
The high-profile interaction followed Trump's inauguration, during which the U.S. president signaled a potentially new approach to Russia and China. Trump reiterated his campaign promise to engage directly with Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, stating that the conflict was "destroying" Russia. He revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had expressed a willingness to negotiate peace, and Trump called on Putin to reciprocate.
Trump's remarks suggested an openness to dialogue with Moscow but maintained a hardline stance on China. The president has proposed tariffs and other measures to counter China's growing economic influence. However, he also hinted at potential areas of cooperation, including addressing the export of precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production and resolving regional conflicts.
Putin welcomed Trump's stated desire to restore dialogue between Washington and Moscow, which had deteriorated under the previous administration. "We hear the statements from Trump and members of his team about their desire to restore direct contact with Russia," Putin said on Monday. "We certainly welcome such an approach."
The Kremlin leader, however, underscored that any engagement must respect Russia's interests and be based on "equality and mutual respect." He also reiterated Moscow's stance on Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a "long-term peace" that considers the rights of all affected populations.
While the call between Putin and Xi avoided direct references to Trump, its timing suggested a coordinated effort to respond to anticipated U.S. policy shifts. Both leaders framed their partnership as a stabilizing force in global affairs and an alternative to what they described as the declining influence of Western democracies.
The Biden administration had previously cast Russia and China as autocratic adversaries, with former President Joe Biden frequently highlighting the ideological contest between democracies and autocracies. Trump, in contrast, has emphasized transactional diplomacy and has criticized what he calls the "weaponization" of U.S. foreign policy by his predecessors.
