President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping

Comment by Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov following a telephone conversation with President of China Xi Jinping.

June 19, 2025

Aide to the President Yury Ushakov:

Colleagues,

President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping. The phone call took place in keeping with the mutual agreement of the two sides.

This was a friendly and constructive conversation with a primary focus on the escalation in the Middle East, which is quite logical in the current environment. The two sides share identical approaches and firmly condemn Israel’s actions in violation of the UN Charter and other international norms.

Moscow and Beijing have adopted a position of principle in their belief that the current situation and matters relating to the Iranian nuclear programme cannot be resolved by force, while a solution can only be achieved by political and diplomatic means.

The President of Russia informed his colleague about his latest international contacts with a focus on his telephone conversations with the key actors in the context of the confrontation between Israel and Iran. The Russian leader reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to offer its good offices, if necessary. The Chinese leader expressed support for this mediation effort, saying that he believed it could promote de-escalation amid the extreme tension we are witnessing today.

In view of this increasingly challenging environment, the two leaders agreed to instruct their respective teams in the relevant agencies and services of the two countries to work closely together in the coming days by sharing insights and perspectives.

The conversation organically shifted to the bilateral agenda, with both leaders stressing that the Chinese President’s May visit to Moscow helped set new important goals and benchmarks for the governments and relevant agencies in their ongoing efforts to reinforce the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

It was emphasised that the Chinese President’s participation as the main guest in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War held special significance and served as a compelling testament to our shared steadfast positions in upholding historical truth and preserving the memory of the heroic feats of our forefathers. Both presidents stressed the fact that we stood together back then, stand together now, and will stand together in the future.

It has been agreed that the next time the leaders will see each other will be on Chinese soil during the SCO Summit in Tianjin on August 31 – September 1. They will take part in the festivities marking the 80th anniversary of victory over militarist Japan and the end of World War II in Beijing on September 3. Full-scale bilateral talks will be held on September 2.

Despite a number of adverse external factors, it was noted that trade and economic cooperation continues to gain momentum. Last year, mutual trade broke another record at almost $245 billion.

The President highlighted that he was speaking with the PRC President from his hometown of St Petersburg, where the St Petersburg International Economic Forum is now taking place. He noted that tomorrow he would hold a separate meeting with Vice Premier of the State Council of the PRC Ding Xuexiang who leads the Chinese delegation. The Chinese representative and the President will take part in the forum’s main plenary session.

The leaders discussed the outcomes of the recent G7 summit in Canada, noting in particular, a certain degree of tension among the participants. It was also noted that it was not the best trip for Zelensky.

The leaders of Russia and China emphasised their mutual interest in strengthening cooperation on pressing international issues and coordinating their efforts within BRICS, the SCO, the UN, and other international platforms.

In the run-up to the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro in early July, the heads of state touched upon advancing Russia’s initiatives put forward during last year’s BRICS summit in Kazan which include, in particular, creating a new investment platform designed to promote economic growth in our respective countries and among our partners from the Global South. It was noted that Russian and Chinese experts maintain close contacts regarding this matter.

The President of the People’s Republic of China, on his own initiative, provided our President with detailed information regarding his recent trip to Kazakhstan, where the second China–Central Asia summit was held on June 17–18. It was noted that it would be beneficial, in the spirit of the comprehensive strategic partnership between our countries, to coordinate mutual approaches so that the Central Asian region becomes a model of genuine stability, economic prosperity, and constructive cooperation.

The information we received from the President of China was highly significant and useful to us, particularly in light of our own preparations for the second high-level meeting in the Russia–Central Asia format, which is scheduled for October 10 in Dushanbe.

In conclusion, our President warmly congratulated his Chinese counterpart and friend on the occasion of his recent birthday. As is well known, Xi Jinping turned 72 on June 15. In keeping with Chinese tradition, our President wished his friend longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains and happiness as immense as the East Sea.

The Chinese President, in turn, conveyed sincere congratulations to Vladimir Putin and the entire Russian people on the occasion of Russia Day, celebrated on June 12.

The heads of state once again expressed their satisfaction with the unprecedented level of Russian-Chinese relations, and both our President and the President of China remarked at the conclusion that they were very pleased with the exchange of views. The exchange was indeed highly productive, as it addressed the most pressing issues currently on the agenda, both internationally and in terms of developing our bilateral relations and contacts.

The conversation lasted approximately an hour, and the leaders bid each other farewell in a very warm and friendly manner. That, in fact, is all I can share with you regarding the telephone conversation that has just taken place.

Thank you.

read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs