Xi and Putin Unite Against Global Hegemony During Kremlin Talks

During a visit to the Kremlin on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed solidarity with Russia against what he termed «hegemonic bullying» as Moscow prepared to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

More than two dozen leaders from various nations are in the Russian capital to participate in the annual military parade on Friday, with Xi being the most prominent attendee at this year’s event.

«In the face of the international tide of unilateralism and hegemonic bullying, China will collaborate with Russia to uphold our shared responsibilities as major global powers,» Xi stated to Putin, as reported by the Kremlin.

Xi highlighted the strengthening of «political mutual trust» and the expansion of collaboration between the two nations.

Putin responded by noting that Moscow and Beijing are «cultivating our relationship for the benefit of our peoples and have no opposition to anyone else.»

Xi’s visit occurred against the backdrop of Ukraine’s allegations that Russia had breached a 72-hour ceasefire that Putin had declared unilaterally before the military parade scheduled for Friday in Red Square.

While Beijing has positioned itself as a neutral party in the conflict, Western governments accuse China of providing economic and diplomatic support to Russia.

During the Kremlin meeting, Putin drew connections between the wartime sacrifices of Russia and China, referencing the 27 million Soviet and 37 million Chinese fatalities in World War II.

«Together with our Chinese partners, we stand firmly on the side of historical truth, to honor the memory of the wartime years and to combat modern-day manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism,» the Russian president asserted, reiterating his long-held view that the West aims to downplay the Soviet Union’s contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany.