
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a video conference to discuss the changing global order, emphasizing their countries’ close ties as President Trump begins his second term.
At a Glance
- Putin and Xi held talks on the first full day of Trump’s new term
- Both leaders advocated for a multipolar world order
- The meeting highlighted Russia-China strategic partnership
- Discussion included Ukraine conflict and potential U.S. policy shifts
- Putin welcomed Trump’s openness to dialogue with Russia
Putin and Xi Reaffirm Strategic Partnership
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly engaged in a video conference to discuss the evolving global order and reinforce their nations’ strategic alliance. The timing of this meeting, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s first full day back in office, underscores the complex geopolitical landscape facing the new U.S. administration.
The leaders’ conversation, lasting over 1.5 hours, covered a range of topics including their shared vision for international relations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin emphasized the importance of their partnership in global affairs, stating, “Joint efforts by Russia and China play an important stabilizing role in global affairs.”
Advocating for a Multipolar World Order
Central to the discussion was the leaders’ shared commitment to reshaping the global order.
Putin articulated their stance, saying, “We jointly support the development of a more just multipolar global order and work to ensure indivisible security in Eurasia and the world as a whole.” This declaration aligns with both nations’ long-standing opposition to what they perceive as Western dominance in international affairs.
The meeting also served to reinforce the strength of Russia-China relations, which have grown increasingly close, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Putin highlighted the resilience of their partnership, noting that it is based on mutual interests and benefits, independent of internal political factors or the international environment.
Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
The timing of this high-level dialogue between Putin and Xi carries significant implications for U.S. foreign policy under the new Trump administration. While the Kremlin stated that potential contacts with the new U.S. administration were discussed, Trump was not directly mentioned in the call.
Directly…
However, Putin has previously expressed openness to dialogue with the U.S. President.
“We hear the statements from Trump and members of his team about their desire to restore direct contact with Russia, which were halted through no fault of ours by the outgoing administration. We also hear his statements about the need to do everything to prevent World War III. We certainly welcome such an approach and congratulate the U.S. president-elect on taking office,” Mr. Putin said.
Trump’s approach to both Russia and China is expected to differ from his predecessor’s. He has promised to end the war in Ukraine and take a tougher stance on trade with China. These potential policy shifts were likely factors in the timing and content of the Putin-Xi talks, as both leaders seek to position themselves advantageously in the changing global landscape.
We should know pretty soon whether Trump’s approach to international relations will bring Russia to heel or not.