Xi and Putin’s “Old Friend” Bond Defies U.S. Pressure

Chinese President Xi Jinping warmly welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin as an “old friend” on Tuesday, kicking off a series of high-stakes meetings in Beijing. The gathering underscores the deepening bond between China and Russia, two global powers facing mounting challenges from the United States and its allies. As geopolitical tensions rise, the leaders are doubling down on their strategic partnership to counter Western influence.

The relationship between Beijing and Moscow has grown significantly closer since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin, addressing Xi as “dear friend,” emphasized that the ties between their nations are at an “unprecedentedly high level.” The leaders held formal talks, followed by a more informal meeting over tea with their top aides, signaling the depth of their collaboration. Their discussions come on the heels of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where both leaders played prominent roles, and just before a grand Chinese military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end.

Historically, the Soviet Union and China shared moments of solidarity, particularly during the 1930s when the Soviets aided China against Japanese aggression. In the final days of World War II, Soviet forces crossed into Japanese-occupied northeastern China after declaring war on Japan. “We were always together then, we remain together now,” Putin remarked, invoking this shared history to underscore the enduring alliance.

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China has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict but has provided critical economic support to Russia, continuing trade despite Western sanctions. Some Chinese companies face accusations of indirectly supporting Russia’s military efforts, further complicating Beijing’s position on the global stage. Meanwhile, the U.S. and its allies have intensified efforts to isolate Russia and curb China’s growing influence, making the Xi-Putin partnership a focal point of global geopolitics.

The leaders also held a trilateral meeting with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, whose resource-rich, landlocked nation lies between China and Russia. Putin highlighted the shared interests of the three countries, calling them “good neighbors” with untapped potential for cooperation. Mongolia, despite its delicate position, has navigated its relationships carefully, as evidenced by its decision in 2024 to host Putin despite an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

As Xi and Putin reinforce their alliance, their meetings send a clear message: China and Russia are united in their resolve to challenge U.S.-led global dominance. With economic, military, and diplomatic ties strengthening, the partnership is poised to shape international relations for years to come, even as the world watches closely for its next moves.

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