CHINA-RUSSIA: Xi & Putin Cement Ties With State Visit Underway

(MNI) London - Chinese state-run Xinhua reports comments from President Xi Jinping following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Xi says that "China is ready to work with Russia to safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations, and resolutely defend the rights and interests of the two nations as well as those of developing countries in the face of unilateralism and bullying." Says the two countries should "promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation." Putin and Xi called one another 'dear friend' as Xi is set to observe Russia's Victory Day military parade as part of a four-day state visit. 

• As Foreign Policy notes, Russia is using the parade marking 80th anniversary of Victory Day in the 'Great Patriotic War' (WWII) on 9 May as an effort to show Western efforts to isolate Moscow have failed, with 29 international leaders set to be in attendance.
• The changing global landscape since US President Donald Trump returned to office has been seen by some as having the potential to drive a wedge between Russia and China. Most notably, if the US can get a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine that eventually relaxes sanctions.
• However, with the US withdrawing from the process, this leaves China in a stronger position to deepen relations with Russia as it attempts to solidify trade partnerships, with the upcoming talks with the US in Geneva at the weekend unlikely to result in a swift cessation of trade hostilities.