China’s Xi vows to stand with friend Putin against ‘hegemonic bullying’
Chinese leader, the highest-profile guest of Moscow’s WWII commemorations, keen to maintain ‘deep’ relationship with Russia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Russian leader Vladimir Putin that his country will stand with Moscow against “unilateralism and hegemonic bullying” during a visit to the country to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Arriving in Moscow on Thursday at the start of a four-day visit, Xi hailed the “deeper” trust developing between the two countries, appearing to take a swipe at Western critics of Russia’s continuing offensive in Ukraine, which Putin has characterised as a war against latter-day Nazis.
“In the face of the international counter-current of unilateralism and hegemonic bullying behaviour, China will work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major world powers,” Xi told Putin.
Greeting Xi as a “dear friend” in the Kremlin, Putin took the opportunity to underline Moscow’s role in WWII, which he has long accused the West of minimising, and to reinforce his narrative of the Ukraine war as a new battle against Nazis.
“Together with our Chinese friends, we firmly stand guard over historical truth, protect the memory of the events of the war years and counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism,” he said.
This week, Ukraine’s foreign ministry urged countries not to send their militaries to participate in the Victory Day events, saying it would go against the declared neutrality of some.
Beijing has portrayed itself as a neutral party throughout the conflict, but Kyiv claims it has sent its nationals to assist Moscow on Ukrainian territory.
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