On the day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, Vladimir Putin reached out to Xi Jinping, underscoring the depth of the relationship between Russia and China. The conversation, coming at a pivotal moment, highlighted the two countries’ shared commitment to global stability, cooperation, and mutual benefit.
The relationship between the two nations has evolved significantly since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While facing intense sanctions from the West, Russia has found an important ally in China, which has ramped up its purchases of Russian oil and gas and become a critical partner in acquiring technology and resources.
Putin’s remarks during the call emphasized that Russia and China’s collaboration is rooted in their mutual interests, emphasizing that their relationship isn’t influenced by domestic political shifts or the current global environment. He reflected on the “just multipolar global order” they aim to foster, stressing their collective role in securing peace across Eurasia and beyond. The partnership, Putin remarked, plays a crucial stabilizing role in international affairs.
Xi, for his part, praised the deepening ties, recognizing the value of the relationship in shaping the broader global system. He noted that the collaboration between Moscow and Beijing injects “positive energy” into global reforms, painting their unity as a force for good in a shifting world order.
Though neither leader directly addressed Trump during the call, the timing of their conversation suggests a calculated gesture. By communicating just after Trump’s inauguration, Putin and Xi may have been signaling a desire to understand and potentially align their positions in light of the new U.S. leadership. Notably, Xi had spoken to Trump just days earlier, expressing hope for improved U.S.-China relations and sending a high-level envoy to the inauguration.
After taking office, Trump made it clear that he was open to dialogue with Beijing, signaling a desire to improve relations while navigating ongoing trade tensions. His willingness to engage was mirrored by his approach to Russia. Though Trump had previously floated ideas about negotiating with Moscow to end the war in Ukraine, he remained vocal about his concerns over Russia’s actions and the state of its economy, with rising inflation and the ongoing conflict weighing heavily on the nation.
Putin, who has yet to engage directly with Trump, has expressed a cautious optimism about future talks. Speaking to Russian officials, Putin commented favorably on Trump’s remarks about restoring relations with Russia, which had been strained under the previous U.S. administration. He also welcomed Trump’s stance on avoiding global conflict, a sentiment the Russian president has repeatedly voiced as essential to maintaining international peace.
However, any discussions between the U.S. and Russia regarding the war in Ukraine will hinge on one key issue: the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, including the contested region of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Until that condition is met, any potential peace talks are likely to remain at an impasse, despite calls from both Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for a resolution.
As the world watches, the geopolitical dynamics between Russia, China, and the U.S. continue to evolve, with each side carefully navigating the delicate balance of power in a changing international landscape.