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Or sign-in if you have an account.With a giant photo of themselves in the background, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping tour a photo exhibition on Russia-China ties in Beijing on May 20, 2026. Photo by Alexander KAZAKOV/Pool/AFP via Getty ImagesBEIJING — China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin met in Beijing on Wednesday, just days after Donald Trump left the Chinese capital, seeking to underscore their close ties.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. 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Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorHere are the key takeaways from the talks between the two leaders:Xi and Putin — who have met dozens of times over the past decade — were keen to showcase their unshakeable relations in the aftermath of Trump’s visit to Beijing.Neither leader referred to the United States directly on Wednesday, but Putin said ties were at an “unprecedentedly high level”, while Xi described relations as “unyielding.”Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe Chinese leader also made an apparent swipe at the United States when he warned of “unilateral and hegemonic countercurrents running rampant” in the international system.And while Trump left Beijing with few concrete announcements, Xi and Putin signed a slew of agreements on trade, media, and energy.They also extended their treaty of “friendly cooperation” as both leaders lauded their countries’ special ties.Putin also invited Xi to visit Russia next year, and said he intended to be at November’s APEC summit in Shenzhen — which Trump has also said he will try to attend.Xi told Putin that the Middle East was at a “critical juncture” and called for an “early end to the conflict,” in particular to secure energy supplies.“A comprehensive ceasefire is of utmost urgency, resuming hostilities is even more inadvisable and maintaining negotiations is particularly important,” he said.The two sides stressed the need for dialogue and negotiations, according to a joint statement released by the Kremlin.Xi’s priorities may differ from the Russian president’s, however, as the pinch on crude and gas flows from the Middle East gives an opportunity to Putin to offer Russian energy sources as an alternative.The Russian leader described the energy sector as “the locomotive of economic cooperation”, adding that Russia would remain a “reliable supplier” of resources to China against the backdrop of the war.China is the world’s top buyer of Russian fossil fuels, making it a key economic partner of Moscow, which is facing Western sanctions on oil and gas over the Ukraine war.But the Kremlin said Wednesday that there had been no breakthrough on the proposed “Power of Siberia 2” natural gas pipeline, pushed for years by Moscow.It would carry 50 billion cubic metres of gas a year, and help make up for the exports Russia used to send to Europe before it launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on May 20, 2026. Photo by Maxim Shemetov/Pool/Getty ImagesKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media on Wednesday that while the two sides had reached a “basic understanding” — including on the route and how it will be built — there was no “clear timeline,” and “there are still some details to be worked out”.Beijing is wary of becoming over-reliant on any one country for energy and, as Russia’s main economic backer, it remains in a strong position to negotiate on price.The two sides agreed that there needed to be a solution to the “root causes” of the Ukraine conflict, while supporting “the search for a solution through dialogue and negotiations.”Beijing has regularly called for talks to end the war in Ukraine, but has never condemned Russia for sending in troops and continues to prop up Russia’s economy with vital revenue and dual-use equipment.Xi has stuck to this stance during talks with Trump, and now with Putin.“The Russian side positively assesses the objective and unbiased position of the Chinese side regarding the situation in Ukraine and welcomes China’s aspiration to play a constructive role in resolving the Ukrainian crisis by political and diplomatic means,” the joint statement said.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. 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