Xi and Putin emphasize friendship in Beijing

The state choreography of the images was reminiscent of Trump's reception a few days earlier. Xi had also received the US President in Beijing with many friendly words. China and Russia have now demonstrated their closeness.

Friendship treaty extended

At the start of the talks, Xi referred to the longstanding good relations between the two countries. In view of an international situation characterized by unrest, China and Russia must push ahead with their comprehensive strategic cooperation. Putin said that relations between the two countries were "one of the most important stabilizing factors on the international stage". Both sides also extended their 25-year Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.

The Russian President emphasized the importance of his country as a reliable energy supplier in times of crisis. "Against the backdrop of the crisis in the Middle East, Russia continues to maintain its role as a reliable supplier of raw materials, while China acts as a responsible buyer of these raw materials," Putin said. He also invited Xi to make a return visit to Russia in 2027.

Xi calls for ceasefire in the Middle East

With regard to the Middle East and Gulf region, Xi said, according to Chinese sources, that a comprehensive ceasefire was urgently needed and that negotiations were particularly important. An early solution to the conflict could help to reduce disruptions to energy supplies, supply chains and the international trade order.

At least in the public statements made by the two presidents, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine did not initially play a role.

Friendly meeting with Trump

Putin's visit is also attracting attention because Xi received Trump in Beijing just last week. According to the Kremlin, however, the Russian president's trip had already been planned in advance.

Xi had also invited Trump to Zhongnanhai, the shielded seat of the Chinese leadership, at the end of his visit. This made it all the more important to observe how Xi received the Russian president and the closeness the two demonstrated. The visit enables Beijing to send two messages at the same time: China wants to stabilize relations with the US after the Trump visit, but at the same time is sticking to its close partnership with Russia.

What the visit will do for both presidents

"The visit serves both presidents," said Johann Fuhrmann, head of the China office of the CDU-affiliated Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Putin needs the backing of his most important partner - images that convey stability. "Because he is undoubtedly under pressure, and not just economically," said Fuhrmann. "The fact that Ukrainian drones can now reach Moscow naturally also unsettles his own population."

The Russian nuclear forces began a large-scale maneuver on Tuesday, the day of Putin's departure, as a show of force and probably also as a kind of additional protection for an undisturbed flight by the president. The exercise is scheduled to last until this Thursday, when Putin wants to be back in Russia. Moscow has recently been the target of repeated Ukrainian drone attacks. There have been deaths, injuries and severe destruction.

According to Fuhrmann, Xi in turn could show that the center of world politics is shifting further towards Beijing. The great statesmen are all over him: first Trump, now Putin. "The message is clear: neither Washington nor Moscow can ignore Beijing or Xi personally."

Russia wants to sell more energy

Energy cooperation was an important topic. According to Moscow's government, Russia is the leading energy exporter for China: in 2025, 101 million tons of crude oil and 49 billion cubic metres of natural gas were supplied via pipelines and in the form of liquefied natural gas.

"The locomotive of Russian-Chinese cooperation is cooperation in the energy sector," said Putin. Despite unfavorable external factors, economic cooperation between Russia and China is showing good momentum. Over the past quarter of a century, trade between the two countries has grown 30-fold and has been solidly above 200 billion US dollars for years, said Putin.

Moscow pushes ahead with plans for new pipeline

Russia wants to expand its supplies to China. The "Power of Siberia 2" gas pipeline, which has been under negotiation for a long time, could also play a role in this, bringing Russian gas to China via Mongolia. The project would be strategically important for Moscow following the loss of large parts of the European market. However, Beijing can negotiate from a position of strength.

"In the end, whether there is any tangible progress will largely determine whether the Kremlin can sell the visit as a success," said Fuhrmann. The Russian side expects movement in the planning of the pipeline, said Alexander Nowak, the deputy head of government responsible for energy issues, in Beijing. The head of the Russian gas giant Gazprom, Alexei Miller, is also part of the delegation.