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The two leaders, meeting in Moscow, rejected what they described as Washington’s attempt to subject them to “dual containment.” They also hailed their friendship.
May 8, 2025Updated 10:28 a.m. ET
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping, the leader of China, issued a joint rebuke to Washington on Thursday, a day before celebrations in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
The leaders held talks at the Kremlin, part of a state visit that Moscow organized for Mr. Xi before his attendance alongside other foreign leaders on Friday at a military parade in Red Square.
In a joint statement issued after their talks, Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi rejected what they described as Washington’s attempt to subject them to “dual containment.” They vowed to “increase interaction and strengthen cooperation” to counter such U.S. efforts.
Both Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi are grappling with the unpredictability of President Trump — the Russian president in talks over Ukraine, and the Chinese leader in a bruising trade war. Each has sought to present their countries as alternative world powers looking to bring about what they call a more equal, multipolar world in the face of U.S. hegemony.
Part of their message Thursday seemed to be that they would stand together, even as Mr. Trump embraces Mr. Putin but pressures Mr. Xi.
After the talks, Mr. Xi spoke pointedly of the importance of the two leaders remaining trusting friends.
