Xi and Putin highlight their friendship and cooperation on energy and other issues in Beijing visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in Beijing to reaffirm their 'political mutual trust and strategic cooperation,' emphasizing energy trade and a united front in international affairs amid global tensions. Their talks included extending a 2001 friendship treaty, discussing Russian oil and gas exports to China—up 35% in Q1 2026—and calling for an end to Middle East hostilities to stabilize energy supplies and trade." "article": "Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit, where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to strengthen bilateral ties. The leaders emphasized their 'political mutual trust and strategic cooperation,' with Xi describing Putin as his 'best and most intimate friend.' Their discussions focused on energy, security, and international affairs, including Russia’s role as a reliable supplier of oil and gas amid Middle East instability. Putin highlighted the 'driving force' of Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector, noting China’s status as Russia’s top customer for oil and gas. Russian oil exports to China surged 35% in the first quarter of 2026, while Moscow remains a major natural gas supplier. Xi stressed the need for a 'complete cessation of hostilities' in the Middle East to ensure stable energy supplies and global trade. The leaders also reaffirmed their cooperation in foreign policy, calling it a 'key stabilizing factor' on the international stage. Their 2022 'no limits' partnership underscores China’s support for Russia through trade, state visits, and military drills, despite Western demands to halt high-tech exports for Russia’s weapons industry. During the visit, Xi and Putin signed cooperation agreements, though the primary goal was to project Beijing’s influence as a global superpower. Experts noted the symbolic importance of the visit, with Putin’s arrival just days after Xi met with U.S. President Donald Trump. The optics of their partnership reinforce China’s growing role in international diplomacy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit, where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to strengthen bilateral ties. The leaders emphasized their 'political mutual trust and strategic cooperation,' with Xi describing Putin as his 'best and most intimate friend.' Their discussions focused on energy, security, and international affairs, including Russia’s role as a reliable supplier of oil and gas amid Middle East instability. Putin highlighted the 'driving force' of Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector, noting China’s status as Russia’s top customer for oil and gas. Russian oil exports to China surged 35% in the first quarter of 2026, while Moscow remains a major natural gas supplier. Xi stressed the need for a 'complete cessation of hostilities' in the Middle East to ensure stable energy supplies and global trade. The leaders also reaffirmed their cooperation in foreign policy, calling it a 'key stabilizing factor' on the international stage. Their 2022 'no limits' partnership underscores China’s support for Russia through trade, state visits, and military drills, despite Western demands to halt high-tech exports for Russia’s weapons industry. During the visit, Xi and Putin signed cooperation agreements, though the primary goal was to project Beijing’s influence as a global superpower. Experts noted the symbolic importance of the visit, with Putin’s arrival just days after Xi met with U.S. President Donald Trump. The optics of their partnership reinforce China’s growing role in international diplomacy.
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