Putin proposes deeper ties with China in call with ‘dear friend’ Xi Jinping
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Putin and Xi discussed deepening their strategic partnership as the war in Ukraine grinds on. Russian president Vladimir Putin has called on Moscow and Beijing to deepen their strategic ties, as he spoke with “dear friend” Chinese president Xi Jinping on a video call.
![[Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said European countries must spend whatever it takes on security]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/21/14/2025-01-21T140019Z_1811562861_RC2CECA9FZJ1_RTRMADP_3_DAVOS-MEETING-ZELENSKIY.jpg)
Putin waved at Mr Xi over the call as he proposed outlining plans to develop the “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation” between Russia and China, strengthening a geopolitical alliance which seeks to weaken western hegemony. In a video released by the Kremlin of the conversation, Putin said: "I agree with you that cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is based on a broad commonality of national interests and a convergence of views on what relations between major powers should be.
![[A Ukrainian soldier prepares artillery shell before firing towards Russian positions at the frontline on Pokrovsk direction]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/21/11/3c30d16feb7e4599ad7b278db3398452.jpg)
"We build our ties on the basis of friendship, mutual trust and support, equality and mutual benefit. These connections are self-sufficient, independent of domestic political factors and the current global situation.". Moscow and Beijing’s foreign policies play an important stabilising role in international affairs, Putin added.
The two autocrats have long sought to present the West as being in decline, as China continues to serve as America’s greatest economic threat and Putin’s war of attrition against Western-supplied Ukrainian forces grinds on. With the war approaching the three-year mark and a new era beginning as Donald Trump enters the White House, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky urged European leaders to establish themselves as strong global players.
