Xi, Putin to discuss ‘aggressive rhetoric’ from US and Nato in video call, Kremlin says

Conversation between Chinese and Russian leaders on Wednesday will also cover tensions in Europe, according to spokesman

Both nations are under pressure from the West – Beijing over human rights and Moscow over its troop build-up near the Ukraine border

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will hold talks on Wednesday as the two nations face growing pressure from the West. Photo: AP

Published: 8:17pm, 14 Dec 2021

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss tensions in Europe and “aggressive” US and Nato rhetoric during a video call on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.

The conversation will take place at a moment of high tension in both countries’ relations with the West, with Beijing under pressure over human rights and Moscow over its build-up of troops near the border with Ukraine.

“The situation in international affairs, especially on the European continent, is very, very tense right now and requires discussion between allies,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, referring to Moscow and Beijing.

“We see very, very aggressive rhetoric on the Nato and US side, and this requires discussion between us and the Chinese.”

Russia has cultivated closer ties with China as its relations with the West have worsened, and Putin has used the partnership as a way of balancing US influence while striking lucrative deals, especially on energy. He and Xi this year agreed to extend a 20-year friendship and cooperation treaty.

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