IRIA News

4 minute read

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a video call on January 21, 2025, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between their nations. U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the war in Ukraine and Taiwan came under discussion.

The call, lasting one hour and 35 minutes, emphasized cooperation in the face of shifting global dynamics as Donald Trump returned to the White House. Putin and Xi referred to each other as “dear friends,” highlighting the depth of their alliance. During the call, Xi shared details of a recent conversation with Trump concerning TikTok, trade, and Taiwan, signaling Beijing’s cautious optimism about potential U.S. engagement.

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov stated, “Xi and Putin have indicated a willingness to build relations with the United States on a mutually beneficial, mutually respectful basis if the Trump team shows interest in this.”

The leaders stressed the importance of their “no limits” partnership, first declared in February 2022 during Putin’s visit to Beijing. This agreement marked a turning point in China-Russia relations, coinciding with Russia’s military escalation in Ukraine. As China’s largest energy consumer, the partnership underscores a critical economic linkage, with Russia supplying significant oil and energy resources to its eastern neighbor. Putin also emphasized continued collaboration on nuclear technology, including fast neutron reactors and nuclear fuel reprocessing.

President Xi said that he is willing to work with his Russian counterpart to take bilateral relations to new heights, vowing to leverage the resilience and stability of China-Russia ties to respond to “external uncertainties,” Xinhua News Agency reported.

Ukraine War and prospects for peace

The Ukraine conflict was a focal point of discussion between the two leaders. Putin reiterated Russia’s desire for a long-term peace solution that safeguards Russian interests. Ushakov commented, “Putin wanted long-term peace in Ukraine, not a short-term ceasefire,” but he noted that no specific peace proposals have yet been shared with the Trump administration.

Xi, on the other hand, maintained China’s stance of urging dialogue and diplomacy. He accused the United States of exacerbating the conflict by providing military aid to Kyiv. Notably, Xi’s position aligns with his broader vision of promoting stability while countering what both he and Putin perceive as Western overreach.

U.S. President Trump has signaled a willingness to engage with both Xi and Putin, expressing hopes of mediating a resolution to the war. He remarked that Putin should end the conflict, as it was causing significant harm to Russia. Analysts and observers, view Xi as a pivotal figure in facilitating an early resolution.

Taiwan and rising tensions

Another key topic was Taiwan, with Russia reaffirming its unwavering support for Beijing’s “one-China principle.” Ushakov stated, “Russia confirmed its unwavering position of support for the one-China principle.” This aligns with Xi’s New Year’s message, in which he declared that no one could impede China’s goal of “reunification” with Taiwan.

Taiwan, a self-governing island, insists that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future and urges China to respect their democratic choices. However, Beijing has maintained a firm stance, viewing reunification as a non-negotiable objective.

The Taiwan issue also intertwines with broader U.S.-China relations. Trump’s past rhetoric has been firm, suggesting he would not shy away from defending Taiwan. His administration previously bolstered arms sales to Taipei, further fueling tensions with Beijing.

Shared vision against Western hegemony

Putin and Xi’s dialogue reflected a shared worldview that positions the West, particularly the United States, as a waning power. Putin emphasized, “We jointly advocate building a more just multi-polar world order, and we are working in the interests of ensuring indivisible security in the Eurasian space and in the world as a whole.”

This sentiment underscores the evolving global order, where Beijing and Moscow see their partnership as a counterbalance to U.S. dominance. However, their vision challenges the existing international framework and raises questions about the stability of global alliances.

The call between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin marks a critical juncture in their nations’ relations, particularly as they navigate complex challenges such as the Ukraine war, Taiwan tensions, and a recalibrated relationship with the United States under Donald Trump. While both leaders appear committed to a deepening partnership, their growing alignment raises concerns in the West about the implications for global stability and geopolitical balance.