Russia, China Oppose Discriminatory Sanctions
On the eve of his four-day visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced Western trade sanctions as “discriminatory.” He said Russia and China are united in opposing restrictions that hinder global socioeconomic development. His remarks came in an interview with China’s Xinhua news agency ahead of his attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin and meetings in Beijing.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Putin noted that economic cooperation between Russia and China continues to expand. He highlighted that China has become Russia’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching a record $245 billion in 2024. Nearly all transactions were conducted in rubles and yuan, signaling a growing shift away from the U.S. dollar in their trade relations.
Unprecedented Visit and Symbolic Unity
The Kremlin described Putin’s trip as “unprecedented,” underscoring its political and symbolic weight. His schedule includes attending the SCO summit, holding strategic talks with President Xi Jinping, and participating in a military parade in Beijing marking the end of World War II. The visit further cements the “no-limits” partnership declared by the two nations in recent years.?
