Just hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a video call with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a symbolic show of solidarity.
Speaking at his official residence in Novo-Ogaryovo on the outskirts of Moscow, President Putin said that relations between the two countries are based on “common interests, equality and mutual benefit,” calling Mr. Xi a “dear friend” and praising the close ties between the two countries. emphasized the relationship between
Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago, Moscow has increasingly relied on China as a trading partner and key diplomatic ally amid escalating tensions with the West. . Meanwhile, Beijing is exploiting Russia’s isolation from the West to secure preferential access to its own resources and markets.
The two countries declared an “unrestricted” partnership in February 2022, days before sending tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine during a visit to Beijing. Since then, the two leaders have frequently visited each other’s capitals and become essential allies in their shared goal of rebuilding the world order against the West.
Although neither leader directly mentioned President Trump during the televised portion of the call, the timing of the conversation suggests that Putin and Xi want to adjust how they interact with the new U.S. administration. There is a possibility that
President Trump has signaled he may impose tariffs and other measures on China during his second term, while the two rival powers are at odds over issues such as regional disputes and curbs on exports of substances used to make fentanyl. It also suggests ways to collaborate.
President Trump has vowed to quickly end the war in Ukraine, a move that will likely also involve China, given Russia’s growing dependence on China.
There was no official content of the phone call between Putin and Xi, but Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said they discussed the meeting with Trump and the possibility of a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine. said. Ushakov said the Russian government was “ready for serious dialogue” with the Trump administration over the Ukraine issue, adding that it was waiting for concrete proposals that could serve as the basis for talks between the leaders.
Ushakov’s remarks were the latest in a series of comments from Russian officials indicating a willingness to discuss the Ukraine war with President Trump, although there remains no clear path to peace.
Putin has not yet met Trump, but in televised remarks Monday during a video call with officials, he congratulated Trump on his inauguration and welcomed his intention to start dialogue with Russia.
Asked about the war in Ukraine shortly after taking office, President Trump said he planned to meet with President Putin “soon” and that the Russian side was “destroying Russia” by refusing to negotiate a ceasefire with Ukraine.
Trump also told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to reach a peace deal and that he expects Putin to follow suit. “I think Russia is in great trouble,” President Trump said, claiming that 1 million Russian soldiers have been killed in the Ukraine war and saying the conflict is seriously hurting Russia’s economy.
