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Headline Roundup May 9th, 2025

Xi and Putin Sign Partnership Agreement

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement Thursday to deepen their “strategic partnership” during a meeting in Moscow.

The Details: Xi traveled to Russia for its lavish “Victory Day” celebrations that recall the end of World War II in Europe. The two leaders, referring to each other as “dear friend,” reportedly discussed key issues, including the Ukraine War and Russia-US relations. Xi commended Putin for opposing Taiwan’s independence and supporting “national reunification.” The leaders reportedly vowed to “resolutely oppose the imposition of hostile approaches towards Russia and China.” Xi called for the countries to “lead global governance in the right direction, and promote inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.”

For Context: This is the third time the leaders have met since the start of 2025. The agreement was signed a day after Xi criticized the Trump administration for its tariff impositions.

How The Media Covered It: New York Post (Lean Right bias) gave prominence to the timing of the agreement, coming just a day after Xi’s criticism of the Trump administration. Newsweek (Center) highlighted the lavishness of the ceremony and Xi’s welcome. CNN (Lean Left) emphasized Xi and Putin’s joint statement on the deepening of their strategic partnership in the face of global uncertainties. Outlets across the political spectrum focused on the leaders’ chummy rhetoric and perceived solidarity in foreign affairs with the US and Taiwan.

Revised by the AllSides staff (of humans) after a first draft from our custom AI. Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.

Featured Coverage of this Story

Xi and Putin agree to ‘deepen’ China-Russia ties during Moscow talks
News

 

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a joint statement “further deepening” their partnership following talks in Moscow Thursday – a show of solidarity in the face of global uncertainties unleashed by US President Donald Trump’s “America First” diplomacy.

Seated together in an ornate room in the Kremlin following roughly four hours of talks, the two leaders inked what Chinese state media said was a “joint statement on further deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.” Putin and Xi typically release lengthy and wide-ranging...

Open on CNN Digital
Xi, Putin sign ‘strategic partnership’ agreement — a day after Chinese leader took swipe at Trump admin
Xi, Putin sign ‘strategic partnership’ agreement — a day after Chinese leader took swipe at Trump admin

Xinhua/Shutterstock

News

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement Thursday deepening their “strategic partnership” — a day after the Chinese autocrat took a swipe at the Trump administration.

The heads of state met in Moscow to discuss “the most important issues,” including the Ukraine conflict and Russia-US relations, according to the Kremlin press service.

“The talks addressed key issues concerning further development of the comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as current matters on the international and regional agendas,” the Kremlin said in a readout of the meeting...

Open on New York Post (News)
Watch: Putin Courts Xi With Full Pomp
News

Russian President Vladimir Putin treated Chinese President Xi Jinping to a bright fanfare and a long red carpet walk as the two leaders met at the Kremlin ahead of the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a video of the formal greeting on social media, after which Putin hailed his "dear friend" Xi ahead of the celebrations to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe.

China is a vital strategic partner of Russia and—amid punitive Western sanctions— Beijing's oil purchases...

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