Putin says the Russia-China foreign policy tandem remains a stabilising force amid global turbulence, as Moscow and Beijing reaffirm strategic coordination and expanding cooperation across sectors
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the deepening foreign policy partnership between Moscow and Beijing as a key stabilising force in an increasingly turbulent global environment, underscoring the strategic weight of the Sino-Russian relationship during a video conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Speaking during the call, excerpts of which were released by the Kremlin, Putin said that amid mounting geopolitical uncertainty, the foreign policy “axis” between Russia and China continued to play a crucial role in maintaining global and regional stability. He stressed that Moscow was ready to pursue the closest possible coordination with Beijing on international issues, both bilaterally and through multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Putin’s remarks came as the two leaders marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year and reflected on the trajectory of bilateral ties that have expanded steadily across political, economic and cultural domains. Congratulating Xi Jinping and the Chinese people on the Spring Festival, Putin described relations between the two countries as entering a phase of continuous renewal and resilience, likening them to an unending spring.
During the wide-ranging conversation, Putin highlighted that Russia and China had built what he termed an “exemplary comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation,” noting that 2026 would mark the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation. He said the treaty continued to serve the core interests of both nations and contributed to social and economic development, as well as to safeguarding sovereignty and security.
Reflecting on the past year, Putin said the two countries had demonstrated solidarity by jointly commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, with events held in Moscow and Beijing. He described these commemorations as an affirmation of shared historical memory and a joint commitment to preserving the truth of the sacrifices made by their peoples.
Economic cooperation, Putin said, remained a central pillar of bilateral ties. Despite what he described as a minor adjustment in trade figures, overall trade volumes had remained above the $200 billion mark for three consecutive years. Russia, he noted, continued to be China’s leading supplier of energy resources, characterising the energy partnership as mutually beneficial and strategic. He also pointed to expanding cooperation in peaceful nuclear research, high-technology industries, space exploration and agriculture, with agricultural trade growing by more than 20 per cent.
Beyond economics, Putin emphasised the steady expansion of humanitarian and people-to-people exchanges. He said the cross-years of culture between the two countries had been a success, drawing widespread public attention through hundreds of events. Cultural exchanges were set to continue, with Chinese New Year celebrations taking place across Russian cities and Russian cultural traditions being showcased in China.
Educational cooperation also featured prominently in the discussion. Putin noted that more than 56,000 Chinese students were currently studying in Russia, while over 21,000 Russian students were enrolled in Chinese institutions. He said the launch of the China-Russia Years of Education opened further opportunities for cooperation, particularly in emerging and high-tech fields.
Turning to global affairs, Putin reiterated that Moscow and Beijing shared closely aligned views on major international and regional issues. He said the two sides would continue to coordinate closely within global institutions and expressed Russia’s readiness to support China during its chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later told reporters that the video call followed a tradition established in 2020, with the two leaders holding conversations ahead of the Chinese New Year. He said the discussion was confidential and covered the full spectrum of bilateral relations and international developments.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his remarks, echoed the emphasis on continuity and strategic depth in bilateral ties. He described the timing of the conversation, coinciding with Lichun, the beginning of spring in the Chinese calendar, as symbolic of renewal and hope. Xi said the past year’s engagements had helped steer China-Russia relations into a new phase of development.
Xi highlighted growing bilateral trade, accelerating cooperation in new frontier sectors and increasingly vibrant cultural exchanges. He also pointed to strengthened multilateral coordination through platforms such as the SCO, saying it contributed to the promotion of a multipolar world order and more equitable global governance.
Looking ahead, Xi said 2026 marked a significant year, coinciding with the launch of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and multiple anniversaries in China-Russia relations. He said China was committed to high-standard opening-up and stood ready to share new development opportunities with Russia.
Both leaders signalled that deepening strategic coordination would remain a priority, positioning the Sino-Russian partnership as a central feature of the evolving global order at a time of intensifying geopolitical competition and uncertainty.
