Putin and Xi discussed strengthening relations between Moscow and Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin praised their mutual relations during a video call on Wednesday. In an interview broadcast on Russian state television, Putin described the partnership between Moscow and Beijing as an important stabilizing factor in a period of growing global instability.

Through an interpreter, Xi Jinping called on both countries to prepare a "grand plan" for the further development of bilateral relations, which he said were moving in the right direction.

China and Russia declared a "no-limits" strategic partnership just days before Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine in February 2022.

Since then, China has become an important economic support for Russia, significantly strengthening mutual trade at a time when the West imposed extensive sanctions on Moscow. The two presidents last met in person in September in Beijing during a large military parade, which was also attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Ukraine and several European countries accuse Beijing of providing military aid to Russia, which China denies.

On Tuesday, high-ranking diplomats from both countries also met in Beijing, where, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, they reached a "broad consensus on global security."

(reuters, lud)