Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi condemn US “interference” | Political News

The Kremlin said the two countries discussed building a “multipolar and more just world order” in the face of US-led efforts to contain their countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have rejected so-called US interference in other countries’ affairs, the Kremlin announced.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin condemned “the American policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries” during an hour-long telephone conversation on Thursday.

The two leaders discussed building a “multipolar and more just world order” in the face of U.S.-led efforts to contain the two countries, Washington’s biggest enemies, the statement said.

“Leaders of both countries recognize that the United States is effectively implementing a policy of dual containment; [toward] Russia and China too,” he added.

Western countries have seen growing unease over the past two years as Moscow and China seek to expand their global influence and strengthen ties in trade and defense.

Ever since the West imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia over its military attack on Ukraine, Moscow has looked to Beijing as a key economic lifeline.

Meanwhile, China has benefited from cheap energy imports from Russia and access to vast natural resources, including reliable gas shipments through the Power of Siberia pipeline.

Trade between the two countries has surged over the past two years, reaching $218.2 billion in the January-November period, meeting the target set by both countries in 2019 a year ahead of schedule, according to Chinese customs data.

Russia and China are also increasing transactions in the ruble and renminbi as they move to phase out transactions in the US dollar. Mr. Ushakov said that during their meeting, Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi emphasized the importance of building “financial infrastructure that ensures the reliability of payments.”

Ukraine and Taiwan

Ushakov said Putin and Xi also discussed the situation in Ukraine and resolving conflicts in the Middle East, and said they see eye-to-eye on these conflicts, without elaborating.

China and Moscow declared an “unrestricted” partnership days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the two countries have expanded ties even as most Western countries turn their backs on Moscow.

China itself has been criticized, particularly by the United States, over a number of thorny issues, including its attitude toward Taiwan, an autonomous democracy that Beijing claims as its own territory.

“While discussing the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, the Russian president reaffirmed his principled position on the Taiwan issue of supporting the ‘One China’ policy,” the Kremlin said in a statement about the meeting.

“We should cooperate closely strategically and protect each country’s sovereignty, security and development interests,” Xi told Putin, according to a report on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

According to CCTV, Xi also stressed that both sides should “resolutely oppose interference in internal affairs by external forces.”

President Putin and President Xi met twice last year. Ushakov said the two leaders will continue to have “close personal contacts” but that there are currently no plans for mutual visits.