On his first state visit since being sworn in for his fifth term as Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed the strong ties between Russia and China, the Associated Press reports.
The two presidents issued a joint statement in Beijing on Thursday that also condemned US-formed alliances for their “Cold War mentality.”
Putin thanked China’s president, Xi Jinping, for advocating for a political settlement to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. China’s diplomatic efforts come even as the US continues to pledge huge amounts of weapons and financial aid to Kyiv, prolonging the conflict in the eyes of Washington’s critics.
[See more: China and the US pledge to continue talks after Xi Jinping meets Antony Blinken]
China and Russia declared their “no limits” partnership shortly before Russia launched the invasion. Since then, China has maintained close business ties with its northern neighbour in the face of Western boycotts – creating a geopolitical headache for the US.
In Beijing, Putin attended the opening ceremony of the China-Russia Years of Culture (which take place this year and next) and a special concert celebrating the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties.
In a speech at the ceremony, Xi urged the citizens of both countries to “work together to enrich the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era and open up a bright future for bilateral friendship.”
