Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised growing economic ties with China during a video call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The call on Wednesday comes amid Xi’s meetings with Western leaders seeking to boost ties despite differences over Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine. European leaders have urged.<\/b>
\nRussian President Vladimir Putin hailed his country’s growing economic cooperation with China in a video call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday.
The virtual meeting came in the middle of a series of meetings between Xi and Western leaders who have sought to boost ties with China despite differences over Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine. European leaders have pressed China for years to end its support for Russia. China has continued to trade with Russia, providing some relief from Western economic sanctions.
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\u201cI would like to once again assure you of firm support for our shared efforts to ensure the sovereignty and security of our countries, our socio-economic welfare and the right to choose our own development path,\u201d Putin said in opening remarks that were broadcast by Russian state television.
Many of America\u2019s closest partners are exploring opportunities with China following clashes with President Donald Trump over tariffs and his demands to take over Greenland from NATO ally Denmark. The Xi-Putin call followed visits by the British and Canadian prime ministers to Beijing last month. The German chancellor is also expected to visit later this month.
The Russian leader noted that \u201cour partnership in the energy sphere is mutually beneficial and has a truly strategic character.\u201d
He added that the two countries were \u201cconducting an active dialogue in peaceful use of nuclear energy and developing high-tech projects, including in the industry sphere and space research.\u201d
Xi said that he and Putin would discuss a new \u201cgrandiose plan for the development of bilateral ties\u201d and \u201cexchange views on major strategic issues,\u201d according to a Russian translation of his opening remarks. He noted that the two countries need to \u201cuse a historic opportunity to continue deepening strategic cooperation.\u201d
The call may have been in part to reassure Russia that China\u2019s position on the Ukraine war hasn\u2019t changed.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu also visited Beijing last weekend, during which he met China\u2019s top foreign policy official, Wang Yi. The two officials agreed their countries should maintain close ties in a turbulent world, state media reports said.
Putin, in his call with Xi, applauded China’s decision to allow visa-free entry for Russians, their partnership in energy including the peaceful use of nuclear power, and high-tech cooperation in space and industry.
He also noted that Wednesday marked the beginning of spring in the traditional Chinese calendar and said that \u201cany season is springtime in Russia-China relations.\u201d<\/p>\n