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Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have vowed to continue strengthening their countries’ relationship following a phone call between the two leaders.

Getting into it: During the roughly 90-minute video call, President Xi and President Putin highlighted the growing depth of their bilateral relationship. Putin praised the partnership as “an important stabilising factor amidst growing turbulence in the world,” and described it as an “exemplary comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.” He reaffirmed Russia’s “firm support” for China’s efforts to “ensure the sovereignty and security of our two countries, their social and economic prosperity, and the right to choose their own development path.”

Xi Jinping echoed this sentiment, stating that the two sides should “seize this historic opportunity, maintain close high-level exchanges, and strengthen practical cooperation across various fields.” He emphasized that China-Russia relations were “advancing in the right direction,” and suggested that both nations work out a “grand plan” to further deepen bilateral ties.

The call also included discussions on cooperation in energy, nuclear technology, and advanced industrial projects. The conversation concluded with Xi formally inviting Putin to visit China twice in 2026, invitations that the Russian president accepted.