Putin, Xi hail 'unyielding' ties in talks after Trump visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks to Chinese President Xi Jinping, second right, during a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
President Xi Jinping hailed China and Russia's "unyielding" ties in talks with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, as the pair met to underscore their alliance days after Donald Trump's visit to the Asian superpower economy.
After the U.S. president was received with pomp last week but left without major breakthroughs including on help with reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Putin's visit will be scrutinised for tangible takeaways.
Putin is however weakened by years of Russia's war on Ukraine, as sanctions by Western powers put the squeeze on energy revenues and increased Moscow's dependance on China, the main buyer of Russian oil.
