BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to China’s state media. During the call, Xi praised Russia’s efforts to seek a resolution to the conflict and reaffirmed the strength of China-Russia relations, which have been described as a “no limits” strategic partnership.
The conversation highlighted China’s continued refusal to condemn Russia for its actions in Ukraine, a stance that has strained Beijing’s ties with Europe and the United States. Xi emphasized that China is pleased to see Russia and relevant parties make positive efforts to defuse the crisis.
This was the second call between the two leaders in 2025, following discussions in January about building ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and exploring a potential peace deal for Ukraine. Trump’s push for a swift resolution to the conflict, which excluded Ukraine and European allies from initial talks and placed some blame on Ukraine for Russia’s 2022 invasion, has raised concerns in Washington and Europe.
Xi reiterated the historical and strategic importance of the China-Russia relationship, describing the two nations as “good neighbors that cannot be moved away, and true friends who support each other and achieve common development”, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The call underscores the close personal bond between Xi and Putin, who have met over 40 times in the past decade. Putin recently referred to China as an “ally”, while Xi has previously called Putin his “best friend”, solidifying a partnership that plays a significant role in global geopolitics.
As the Ukraine war enters its fourth year, the China-Russia alliance continues to influence diplomatic dynamics worldwide, presenting challenges to Western diplomatic strategies.