BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s President Xi Jinping spoke with his ally Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Monday, China’s state media reported, on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
China and Russia declared a “no limits” strategic partnership, days before Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Xi has met Putin over 40 times in the past decade and Putin in recent months described China as an “ally”.
Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow for its role in the war, straining its ties with Europe and the U.S. as a result.
It was the second call both leaders have held this year, after they discussed how to build ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, along with prospects for a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, in January.
Trump is pushing for a quick deal to end the war in Ukraine, alarming Washington’s European allies by leaving them and Ukraine out of initial talks with Russia and blaming Ukraine for Russia’s 2022 invasion, political gifts for Moscow that could also bring strong economic benefits.
(Reporting by Laurie Chen, Yukun Zhang and Ryan Woo; Editing by Ros Russell)
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