Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a four-day state visit, underscoring the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia. The visit coincides with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Xi’s arrival comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow in recent days. Despite the security concerns, Xi’s plane landed safely at Vnukovo-2 airport, where he was greeted with a military band and honor guard.
In a written statement upon his arrival, Xi emphasized the importance of the China-Russia relationship, stating that the two nations have found “a right path of state-to-state interactions between neighboring major countries.” He added that the partnership is characterized by “permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation.”
The visit is Xi’s 11th to Russia since becoming president and highlights the growing political and economic ties between the two countries. China has become Russia’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $245 billion in 2024, a 66% increase from 2021.
During the visit, Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss various issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, energy cooperation, and the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project. The pipeline would transport natural gas from western Russia to northern China, further solidifying energy ties between the two nations.
The Kremlin has touted Xi’s presence at the Victory Day parade as a significant diplomatic boost, especially as Western leaders have largely shunned the event due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In total, 29 foreign leaders are expected to attend the celebrations, including the presidents of Brazil, Serbia, and Vietnam.
However, Ukraine has criticized the attendance of foreign dignitaries at the parade, with President Volodymyr Zelensky warning that Kyiv “cannot be held responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation” during the event.
Despite China’s claims of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, Kyiv has accused Beijing of aiding Russia militarily, citing the involvement of Chinese mercenaries and recruitment efforts visible on social media. China has denied these allegations, maintaining that it supports a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
As the world watches the developments in Moscow, Xi’s visit serves as a clear signal of China’s support for Russia amid increasing isolation from the West. The strengthened alliance between the two nations poses significant implications for global geopolitics and the balance of power in the international arena.
A calculated show of solidarity — and a signal to the West
Xi Jinping’s arrival in Moscow isn’t just a diplomatic courtesy or a ceremonial tribute to WWII history. It’s a carefully choreographed move aimed at sending a clear message to Washington and its allies: the Beijing-Moscow axis is strong, and it’s not backing down.
In the language of geopolitical theatre, this visit speaks volumes. Not only is it symbolic, coming on the anniversary of a global military turning point, but it’s tactical. By appearing alongside Vladimir Putin in Red Square during Victory Day, Xi is reinforcing the idea that China and Russia see themselves as bulwarks against what they frame as Western overreach—especially the “unilateralism and hegemonism” they’ve both condemned in recent years.
For Putin, Xi’s presence offers legitimacy in a moment of international isolation. With much of the Western world sanctioning Russia and shunning its government due to the war in Ukraine, a handshake and a parade stroll with China’s top leader sends a powerful image to both domestic and foreign audiences: Russia still has friends—and powerful ones.
But this isn’t just about optics. The economic interdependence between China and Russia has deepened considerably since the Ukraine war began. As sanctions have strangled Moscow’s access to Western goods, China has stepped in as both buyer and supplier. Trade between the two nations hit record highs last year, and infrastructure projects like the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline signal more economic entanglement to come.
And that’s where the strategic part kicks in. China isn’t backing Russia purely out of ideology. It needs Russian energy, access to raw materials, and an ally in its broader rivalry with the United States. With Washington ratcheting up tariffs on Chinese goods and escalating military partnerships in Asia, Beijing’s incentive to court Moscow has only grown stronger.
Clearly, this is a mutual signaling event, as much about global governance as it is about WWII memory. China and Russia are telling the world that their partnership is here to stay—and that the future, as they see it, may no longer be led from Washington.
Whether the West chooses to dismiss this gathering as a hollow performance or treat it as a pivot point in international relations remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: when two of the world’s most powerful autocrats meet, their words—and their silences—have consequences far beyond Red Square.
