Xi and Putin hold phone call on Ukraine war anniversary, state media says

Reuters
Above, Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Chinese President Xi Jinping during an official welcoming ceremony for delegation heads at the BRICS summit in Kazan on Oct. 23, 2024. (AFP file photo)
  • China and Russia earlier declared a ‘no limits’ strategic partnership
  • Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow for its role in the war

BEIJING: China’s President Xi Jinping spoke with his ally Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Monday, China’s state media reported, on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
China and Russia declared a “no limits” strategic partnership, days before Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Xi has met Putin over 40 times in the past decade and Putin in recent months described China as an “ally.”
Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow for its role in the war, straining its ties with Europe and the US as a result.
It was the second call both leaders have held this year, after they discussed how to build ties with US President Donald Trump, along with prospects for a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, in January.
Trump is pushing for a quick deal to end the war in Ukraine, alarming Washington’s European allies by leaving them and Ukraine out of initial talks with Russia and blaming Ukraine for Russia’s 2022 invasion, political gifts for Moscow that could also bring strong economic benefits.