Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on May 8 as the star guest among more than two dozen foreign leaders invited to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. In joint talks at the Kremlin, Xi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin underscored a shared commitment to deepen their strategic partnership and to jointly resist what they described as “unilateralism and bullying” by the United States and its allies. As Moscow seeks diplomatic reinforcement amid mounting Western pressure over the war in Ukraine, the meeting highlighted the two nations’ determination to recast global power dynamics in their favor.
Historical Context and the Kremlin Backdrop
Xi’s visit coincides with elaborate Kremlin ceremonies marking the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945—a victory that claimed some 27 million Soviet lives. For President Putin, the anniversary serves as a potent tool of domestic mobilization, reinforcing national unity and justifying his portrayal of Russia’s conflict in Ukraine as a continuation of the fight against fascism. Xi’s presence at these events not only pays homage to shared wartime sacrifices but also cements the narrative of a Russo-Chinese axis defending historical truth and resisting Western attempts to “revise” the legacy of World War II.
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Joint Statement: Deepening Cooperation Across All Sectors
In a formal joint communiqué, Xi and Putin pledged to expand bilateral collaboration “in all areas,” explicitly including enhanced military coordination. They vowed to “strengthen coordination in order to decisively counter Washington’s course of ‘dual containment’ of Russia and China,” a reference to U.S. efforts to impose simultaneous sanctions and political constraints on both capitals.
Standing Together Against “Unilateralism and Bullying”
During their opening exchange, Xi declared that “in the face of the international counter-current of unilateralism and hegemonic bullying behaviour, China will work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major world powers.” He described the two nations as “true friends of steel that have been tested by fire,” signaling a readiness to support each other if either comes under Western pressure .
Military and Security Ties
The joint statement explicitly mentioned plans to expand military-to-military contacts, joint exercises and strategic dialogues. While details remain classified, state media suggest upcoming agreements on co-development of defense technology and logistical support frameworks. Analysts view these commitments as a clear message to Washington and its NATO partners that Beijing and Moscow are prepared to integrate their security postures at unprecedented levels.
Cooperation on International Law and Global Governance
Beyond security, Xi and Putin underscored their shared opposition to unilateral sanctions and the extraterritorial application of domestic laws—a tactic they accuse the U.S. of abusing through measures such as secondary sanctions and “long-arm” jurisdiction. According to Xinhua, the two leaders committed to enhancing cooperation on international law matters and reaffirming the primacy of the United Nations in global affairs .
A Boost for Putin’s Ukraine Strategy
For President Putin, Xi’s endorsement is a diplomatic windfall, affirming that Moscow’s narrative—portraying the war in Ukraine as a defensive measure against NATO expansion—resonates with a major global power. Although Ukraine and its Western backers reject this framing as a pretext for aggression, Xi’s public alignment provides Russia with much-needed international legitimacy. The two leaders referred to the necessity of addressing the “root causes” of the Ukraine conflict, echoing Moscow’s long-standing demand that Kyiv and Western capitals renounce NATO membership for Ukraine.
Economic Ties: An Economic Lifeline Under Sanctions
China remains Russia’s largest trading partner, purchasing more Russian oil and gas than any other country. During Xi’s visit, ministries from both sides are expected to finalize deals to expand energy cooperation, including pipeline capacity increases and new liquefied natural gas (LNG) agreements. Russian officials hope these arrangements will help Moscow mitigate the impact of Western sanctions and diversify export markets. Meanwhile, Beijing seeks discounted energy supplies to fuel its own economic recovery.
Commemorating Victory Day: Political Theater and Pageantry
Xi’s participation in Victory Day parades—the first by a Chinese head of state since 2015—carries symbolic weight. The Kremlin staged an opulent ceremony featuring military bands, veteran delegations and displays of World War II-era weaponry. Xi and Putin stood side by side for the playing of both nations’ anthems, projecting an image of unity to both domestic and international audiences. The political theater underscores the two leaders’ intent to present their alliance as a bulwark against perceived Western attempts to dictate global norms.
Reactions in Beijing and Moscow
Chinese state media lauded Xi’s visit as a reaffirmation of China’s independent foreign policy and a repudiation of U.S. pressure. Party mouthpieces emphasized themes of multipolarity and a “community with a shared future for mankind,” slogans Xi has repeatedly used to describe China’s vision of global governance. In Moscow, Russian outlets highlighted Xi’s support as evidence of waning Western influence, portraying the two powers as natural partners in constructing an alternative world order.
Western Response and Diplomatic Implications
In Washington, senior officials framed the meeting as yet another sign of a growing Sino-Russian alliance intent on undermining the rules-based international system. A National Security Council spokesperson warned that deeper military and economic ties between Beijing and Moscow could further destabilize the security environment in Europe and Asia. NATO sources expressed concern that coordinated military posturing could complicate alliance deterrence efforts along Russia’s periphery.
Impact on Global Flashpoints: Ukraine, Taiwan and Beyond
The strategic partnership’s deepening reverberates beyond Europe. In East Asia, analysts warn that a firmer Beijing-Moscow axis may embolden China’s posture toward Taiwan, given Russia’s historical support for China’s core interest on sovereignty issues. At the same time, coordinated Russian-Chinese diplomacy at international forums—ranging from the United Nations Security Council to Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits—could amplify pressure to dilute or block Western-backed resolutions on human rights, climate action and non-proliferation.
Comparisons with Past Summits
Xi and Putin’s 2025 meeting marks their third face-to-face encounter this year, following talks in Kazan during the BRICS summit in October and a video conference in January. Each encounter has ratcheted up their “no limits” partnership declared in early 2022. Yet this Kremlin summit stands out for its combination of high-profile ceremonial pomp and explicit military and legal commitments, suggesting a more assertive phase of bilateral alignment.
Future Prospects and Potential Pitfalls
While both sides emphasize mutual benefit, strategic analysts caution that the alliance carries risks. Overreliance on Russian energy could expose Beijing to secondary sanctions. Conversely, deepening ties with China may limit Russia’s maneuverability in European security matters and tie Moscow’s fortunes even more closely to Beijing’s long-term strategy. Economically, China’s near-monopoly on Russian markets could create asymmetric dependencies, potentially constraining Russia’s policy autonomy in the future.
Looking Ahead: Agreements and Follow-Up Visits
Xi and Putin concluded their talks by expressing mutual desire for further high-level visits. Putin invited Xi to attend next year’s Victory Day events, while Xi indicated he would welcome Putin in Beijing at an early date. Both sides pledged to expedite intergovernmental working groups to implement agreements on trade, technology transfer, defense cooperation and cultural exchange.
Conclusion
President Xi Jinping’s 99th state visit to Moscow yielded more than commemorative pageantry; it solidified an alliance positioned explicitly against U.S. influence. By invoking shared historical memory of World War II, pledging deeper military coordination, and jointly denouncing “unilateralism and bullying,” China and Russia have signaled a robust bid to reshape global governance norms. As this “friends of steel” partnership advances, democracies and multilateral institutions face the challenge of responding to a deeply entrenched Sino-Russian bloc—an emerging power center that both Beijing and Moscow are determined to leverage in pursuit of a more multipolar world order.
