Putin, Xi discuss their close ties in chat after Trump’s inauguration

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on Tuesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and emphasized their close ties a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th U.S. President. In the call with Mr. Xi, Mr. Putin emphasised that Russia-China relations are based on shared interests, equality and mutual benefits, noting they “don’t depend on internal political factors and the current international environment.” “We jointly support the development of a more just, multipolar global order, and work to ensure indivisible security in Eurasia and the world as a whole,” Mr. Putin told Mr. Xi in remarks carried by Russian state TV. “Joint efforts by Russia and China play an important stabilizing role in global affairs.” Mr. Xi similarly praised their close cooperation, expressing his readiness to work together with Mr. Putin to “lead China-Russia relations to a higher level, to cope with the uncertainty of the external environment with the stability and resilience of China-Russia relations,” and to “safeguard international fairness and justice.” He emphasised that Russia and China should “continue to deepen strategic cooperation, firmly support each other, and safeguard the legitimate interests of the two countries.” While neither leader directly mentioned Mr. Trump in the televised fragment of their call, the Kremlin said they touched upon prospective contacts with the new U.S. administration. Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi discussed “certain issues related to possible contacts with the U.S. administration,” Mr. Ushakov added Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi expressed readiness to develop ties with Washington on the basis of mutual benefit and respect if Mr. Trump's team shows interest in that, he said. We certainly welcome such an approach and congratulate the U.S. president-elect on taking office.” He also stressed that dialogue should be based on “equal basis and mutual respect, taking into account the important role our countries play on some key issues on the global agenda, including the strengthening of global stability and security.” Moscow is open to dialogue with the Trump administration on Ukraine, Mr. Putin said, emphasizing the need to respect Russia's interests and adding that “the most important thing is to remove the root causes of the crisis.” “As for the settlement of the situation, I would like to underline that its goal should not be a short truce, not some kind of respite for regrouping forces and rearmament with the aim of subsequently continuing the conflict, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people, all nations living in this region,” he said.