Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on May 20, 2026, and jointly called for stability in the Middle East amid rising global tensions. During the meeting, the importance of friendship and strategic cooperation between the two leaders was emphasized, and it was stated that conflicts in the region must be ended immediately. Putin expressed that relations with China have reached an unprecedented level, noting that the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty signed 25 years ago forms the basis of the political, economic, and strategic ties between the two countries.
He also stated that Russia continues to be a reliable partner in energy resource supply and that China consumes global energy resources responsibly. Xi Jinping said that relations between Russia and China have reached an advanced stage, shaped on the basis of mutual benefit and respect, contributing to stability and predictability in the international environment. The Chinese leader stated that the rekindling of conflicts in the Middle East is unacceptable and that this situation puts pressure on international trade routes and energy supplies.
This meeting took place after U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China; during Trump's visit, issues of trade, technology, energy security, and geopolitical stability were discussed. Russia and China have expanded cooperation in political, economic, and energy fields in recent years in the context of increasing tensions with the West and regional crises.
