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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a video call hours after Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday, pledging to take bilateral relations to “greater heights,” state media on both sides said.
Calling Xi a “dear friend”, Putin said Russia and China were building relations “on the basis of friendship, mutual trust and support” despite external pressure.
Xi urged Putin to “continue to deepen strategic coordination, strengthen mutual support and protect legitimate interests.”
Trump on Tuesday threatened Beijing with tariffscalling him an “abuser” and warned that “big trouble” awaits Moscow if it does not conclude a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
However, Putin told Xi that any settlement in Ukraine “must respect Russia’s interests,” according to foreign affairs adviser Yuriy Ushakov, who spoke to reporters after the call.
Beijing was accused of creation of the Moscow military machine by providing it with the most important components for the conflict in Ukraine.
Trade between the two countries is set to reach a record $240bn (£191bn) in 2023, up more than 64% since 2021 – before Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Putin and Xi have confirmed their readiness to build relations with the United States on a mutually beneficial and respectful basis if Trump’s team shows interest,” Ushakov said.
However, he also said the call was “in no way related to Trump’s inauguration.”
The conversation lasted about an hour and a half, during which Putin and Xi also discussed the situation in the Middle East, South Korea and Taiwan, according to Ushakov.
Chinese state media reported that Xi also expressed a willingness to work with Putin in response to “external uncertainty,” without giving specifics.
Xi held a phone conversation with Trump last week, which the US president described as a “very good” discussion for both countries. They talked about trade, fentanyl and TikTok, among other things, he said.
Putin has yet to speak to Trump, but congratulated him on state television hours before the inauguration.
