Putin and Xi Jinping Deepen Trade and Energy Partnership in High Stakes Meeting

Key Points

• Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a two-day state visit to China with high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• They agreed to extend their 2001 bilateral friendship treaty and signed approximately 40 cooperation agreements in trade, technology, and media.
• Both nations emphasized settling cross-border trade in local currencies to avoid using the U.S. dollar amid Western financial sanctions.
• Energy security and the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline were critical topics, with discussions on diverting Russian gas directly to Chinese markets.
• The joint statement criticized U.S. foreign policy, with China maintaining political neutrality on the war in Ukraine.