Putin, Xi Discuss Strengthening Ties, Potential US Engagement After Trump Inauguration
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a wide-ranging video conference on Tuesday, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring potential avenues for engagement with the newly inaugurated US President, Donald Trump, Al Jazeera reports.
The call, which lasted over an hour and a half, took place just a day after Trump’s swearing-in ceremony as the 47th president of the United States.
The Kremlin reported that the two leaders discussed their respective approaches to the Trump administration, indicating a willingness to build relations on a “mutually beneficial, mutually respectful basis,” according to Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov. Ushakov added that this cooperation is contingent on the Trump team showing genuine interest in such an approach.
Trade was also a significant topic of discussion. China is Russia’s largest energy consumer and its primary export market for oil, making the economic partnership a crucial aspect of their relationship.
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Ushakov said that Russia is “ready for dialogue with the new US administration” on the issue. He clarified that Putin is seeking a long-term peace, not a short-term ceasefire. Interestingly, Trump has previously expressed a willingness to consider Russia’s perspective on the conflict. No specific proposals for a call between Putin and Trump have been made, Ushakov said.
The conversation also touched on the issue of Taiwan. Ushakov emphasized that Russia “confirmed its unwavering position of support for the one China principle,” aligning with Beijing’s view of the democratically governed island as its own territory. This stance echoes President Xi’s recent New Year’s speech, in which he said that China’s “reunification” with Taiwan is inevitable. Taiwan’s government has consistently rejected China’s claims.
The discussion follows the “no-limits” partnership declared by China and Russia in February 2022, just before the conflict in Ukraine. Putin has recently described China as an “ally.”
Looking forward, the dynamics between the three nations remain complex. Trump has stated his intention to be tough on China while simultaneously engaging Putin on ending the war in Ukraine. Xi has also called for talks to end the conflict, while accusing the US of fueling it with arms sales to Kyiv. Ukraine has maintained its readiness to negotiate.
