Putin, Xi Jinping hold talks ahead of Victory Day's 80th anniversary
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Putin and Xi Jinping discuss bilateral cooperation and multipolar world goals during a key Moscow meeting ahead of Victory Day celebrations.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping shake hands during a welcoming ceremony before their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on May 8, 2025 (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping began bilateral talks on Thursday at the Kremlin.
Xi arrived in Moscow earlier in the morning to take part in celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory Day over Nazism.
During the meeting with his Chinese counterpart, President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia and China maintain mutually beneficial relations regardless of the international situation, expressing his readiness to make another official visit to China, emphasizing that his Chinese counterpart’s visit to Moscow is "highly significant for Russia."
Putin proposed that he and his Chinese counterpart exchange views on bilateral relations during the visit, noting that both governments are working to implement the full range of bilateral agreements.
He added, "In our joint statement with Mr. Xi Jinping, we set ambitious tasks. In particular, we are talking about ensuring a substantial qualitative advancement of Russian-Chinese trade and investment by 2030."
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to be a key guest at the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow’s Red Square on Friday, where Russia anticipates the attendance of around 27 world leaders.
For his part, President Xi reaffirmed China’s readiness to work with Russia in advancing a more balanced and multipolar model of economic globalization, emphasizing that both nations will steadfastly defend the rights and interests of China, Russia, and the broader developing world.
Xi also underscored the growing depth of mutual political trust between the two countries.
Russia celebrates Victory Day
Every year on May 9, Russia observes Victory Day, which stands as one of the most important holidays in the country, marking the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War, a term used by Russia to describe its involvement in World War II, a conflict that began on June 22, 1941, and concluded on May 9, 1945.
The highlight of Victory Day commemorations is the large-scale military parade that takes place in Moscow’s Red Square, where thousands of soldiers march in precise formations, accompanied by displays of armored vehicles, missile launchers, and aerial demonstrations by fighter jets.
Russian President Vladimir Putin usually gives an address to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and to emphasize both Russia’s historical legacy and its present-day power.
Leaders from across Latin America, including Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and Cuba’s Miguel Díaz-Canel, along with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, are anticipated to participate, while European representatives, such as Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, are also expected to join, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has confirmed his attendance after recovering from a recent health issue that required hospitalization.
