It also underscores the deep relationship between Putin and China\u2019s leader, Xi Jinping<\/a>. The two men have met more than 40 times, far outstripping Xi\u2019s encounters with any western leaders.<\/p>\n \u201cHosting two of the most powerful leaders in the world in a matter of days shows China\u2019s growing confidence in its place and standing in the world,\u201d said William Yang, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group.<\/p>\n He said Xi \u201clikely wants to remind Trump that Beijing has other solid and robust relationships that it can count on, so Washington can\u2019t easily isolate or harm Beijing if it tries to\u201d.<\/p>\n Putin\u2019s visit comes as he is entering what may be the most difficult period of his long rule. His strongman image at home is beginning to fray as Russia<\/a> has made little progress on the battlefield in Ukraine this year. Russia\u2019s growing economic troubles are steadily increasing its dependence on China, turning what the Kremlin frames as a partnership of equals into a far more lopsided relationship.<\/p>\n Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping greet each other in Tianjin, China, in August 2025. Photograph: Sergei Bobylev\/Pool Sputnik Kremlin\/AP<\/p>\n The Russian leader published a video address<\/a> to China on the eve of the visit. He said China-Russia relations<\/a> had reached \u201can unprecedented level\u201d, pointing to the countries\u2019 soaring bilateral trade, the fact that settlements were conducted nearly entirely in roubles and yuan rather than the US dollar, and mutual visa-free policies for Chinese and Russian travellers.<\/p>\n China\u2019s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday: \u201cThe friendship between China and Russia will be further deepened and will be more deeply rooted in people\u2019s hearts\u201d by the strategic guidance from Xi and Putin.<\/p>\n This year marks 30 years since Beijing and Moscow signed a strategic partnership agreement and 25 years since they singed the \u201ctreaty of good-neighbourliness and friendly cooperation\u201d.<\/p>\n Putin\u2019s remarks about non-dollar-denominated transactions highlight the extent to which the two countries have been trying to build up their resilience against western sanctions, which rely on the dominance of the US dollar to be effective.<\/p>\n
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Trump asks if Xi brings other presidents to exclusive compound during private tour \u2013\u00a0video <\/p>\n