The Xi-Putin summit, held shortly after US President Donald Trump visited China, underscores strong cooperation between the two new superpowers and signals a new front against Western aggression.
Abbas Hashemite
Moscow and Beijing Against Western Unilateralism
Moscow and Beijing have long been advocating global peace and raising their concerns about Washington’s unilateral aggression in South America, Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East. During this recent summit, the two sides signaled a coordinated front against this Western aggression, warning against a global return of the “law of the jungle”. With this statement, Moscow and Beijing have once again condemned the United States’ unilateral aggression against adversaries.
This summit also indicated that the two emerging superpowers are firm in their resolve to build a new and egalitarian world order in which all states will be able to pursue an independent foreign policy
Russia and China also criticized President Trump’s intention of a $175 billion “Golden Dome” defense system, which aims to create a new missile field in the Midwest. This defense system is designed to shoot down missiles in space. However, it also risks sparking a global space and nuclear arms race between major powers, endangering global peace. President Putin and Xi also criticized the expiry of the last Russia-US arms control treaty, which was sidelined by the United States in February after the Trump administration failed to respond to Moscow’s proposal to extend the deal by a year. These developments suggest that the US administration seeks to escalate global tensions and spur an arms race with its Eastern rivals.
Energy Security and the Power of Siberia 2
The Western support for the Ukrainian aggression against Russia and mounting tension over the Middle East, especially Iran, have pushed Russia and China closer. The disruption of global maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a calamity that has affected the global economy and energy markets, has renewed China’s concerns over the security of its oil and gas imports. Due to a threat to the world’s most strategic maritime trade route, Russia has emerged as China’s only reliable overland energy supplier. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, told the media that the two countries had reached a basic understanding on the gas pipeline, known as Power of Siberia 2, and its route during this summit. This pipeline is expected to export 50 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually from Russia to China. President Xi Jinping also highlighted the significance of energy cooperation and resource connectivity between the two states by calling it the “ballast stone” of their bilateral relations.
The Pursuit of a Multipolar World Order
Another major aspect of the bilateral cooperation and ideological symmetry between the two sides is their pursuit of an independent foreign policy. In the past few decades, the United States has coerced many third-world countries and its allies into following its lead in making their foreign policy decisions. However, China and Russia pursue an independent foreign policy. Both countries seek to create a new world order in which all states have equal rights and their sovereignty is guaranteed. Both sides have pledged to play a “stabilizing role on the global stage.” President Putin, ahead of his visit to China, stated that the two countries were prepared for bilateral cooperation on the “core interests of the two countries, including the protection of sovereignty and national unity”.
However, Beijing and Moscow have repeatedly denied the suspicions that their alliance is against any particular state. President Putin further clarified this stance by stating, “We are not aligning against anyone, but working for the cause of peace and universal prosperity.” Indeed, the two sides are persistently striving to create a new and egalitarian world order. The BRICS organization further endorses this claim as it provides equal rights to all member states. The increasing popularity of this organization in the Global South also highlights the strength and success of Russia-China cooperation.
The Xi-Putin summit was equally significant for the Global South, especially the Middle Eastern states. Putin’s visit to Beijing reflects a convergence of the two states on pressing issues, including the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, the Iranian nuclear program, the US sanctions on different states, the Syrian Crisis, and Israeli aggression in the region. This visit provided the Middle Eastern nations with new hope, as it increased the likelihood of joint Russia-China diplomatic intervention in the region to de-escalate tensions and conflicts. Economic cooperation between Russia and China also provides greater benefits to the Middle Eastern states. Russia and China’s promotion of trade in local currencies decreases the Middle Eastern nations’ dependence on the US dollar, providing them with an opportunity to diversify their trade and military relations without succumbing to US pressure.
Why the Russia–China Partnership Matters
Indeed, the Russia-China relationship is far broader than merely opposing the West. The Western leadership has always attempted to portray this alliance as fragile and an anti-West coalition. However, time has proved that this alliance is deeply rooted in shared strategic and economic interests rather than an anti-West ideology. Moreover, this relationship is equally significant for both sides. In the current chaotic global order, Russia-China cooperation has become a necessity for the survival and prosperity of both sides.
China is heavily reliant on Russia for secure access to its vast energy resources. However, this alliance is not merely an economic relationship. Russia holds immense geopolitical significance for China. Both states have frequently supported each other diplomatically in the United Nations in opposition to the US-led unilateral and aggressive policies against the Eastern powers and the Global South. This alliance is equally beneficial for Russia. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, bilateral trade between Russia and China has reached $237 billion, more than double between 2020 and 2024, making China its largest trading partner. Beijing also provides military and technological support to Moscow.
Conclusion: The Emerging Russia–China Strategic Alignment
In sum, President Putin’s visit to Beijing within days after the Trump-Xi summit sent a message to the United States that the two countries are ready to enhance their alliance. In addition, it underscored the rising economic and energy cooperation between the two sides. Moreover, Russia and China, during the Xi-Putin summit, once again rejected the unilateralist and interventionist attitude of the United States. This summit also indicated that the two emerging superpowers are firm in their resolve to build a new and egalitarian world order in which all states will be able to pursue an independent foreign policy. This visit was equally significant for the Middle Eastern states, as it provided them with renewed hope of peace through Russia and China’s joint diplomatic intervention in the region. Putin’s visit to China also highlighted that the two sides have convergent views on the US economic and military aggression.
Аbbas Hashemite is a political observer and research analyst for regional and global geopolitical issues.He is currently working as an independent researcher and journalist
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