At the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, Chinese President Xi Jinping assured Russian President Vladimir Putin that the ongoing profound relationship between China and Russia will endure despite the turbulence in global geopolitics. Both leaders convened on Tuesday at this international gathering, with official statements from both governments confirming their meeting.
President Xi acknowledged that the world is currently undergoing significant transformations not seen in a century, which contribute to a rapidly changing and volatile international environment. However, he expressed confidence in the persistence of the deep and long-standing friendship between China and Russia. President Putin echoed this sentiment, describing the Russia-China partnership as a key stabilizing force in the international arena. He reiterated comments previously made during a state visit to China in May.
The two nations have emphasized a “no-limits” friendship since February 2022 to counterbalance U.S. global influence. President Xi described the China-Russia relationship as non-alliance and non-confrontational, stressing that it does not target any third party. He noted the spirit of good-neighborliness and friendship that has guided their strategic coordination and comprehensive cooperation.
Nevertheless, the “friendship without limits” faces challenges, particularly as China seeks a prominent role on the global stage while maintaining a delicate position on the Ukraine war by not condemning Russia’s invasion. According to Eugene Rumer, director of Carnegie’s Russia and Eurasia program, Beijing has been cautious to not closely associate with Russia’s actions in Ukraine, striving to project an impartial stance.
Although China declared its unlimited friendship with Russia shortly before Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, it has refrained from directly supplying weapons and ammunition for the conflict. Gabriel Wildau, managing director at Teneo, suggested that the summit offers Moscow an opportunity to convey unity with Beijing, even as strains appear in the relationship. Wildau also noted China’s recent tightening of export controls for military-grade technology, ahead of President Xi’s visit, as an indication of limits to China’s support for Russia’s war effort.
The strengthening of Russia-North Korea relations has also placed China in a complicated position. Despite joining Russia in opposing new sanctions against North Korea, China abstained from a U.N. Security Council vote on extending a sanctions-monitoring panel, which Russia vetoed.
Increasing economic and diplomatic pressure from the U.S. and its allies might potentially drive China closer to Russia, as some observers have suggested. The BRICS summit, occurring from Tuesday to Thursday, is the largest international event hosted by Putin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009, the BRICS alliance expanded with the inclusion of South Africa in 2010. Recently, it gained more influence after Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates joined in January, making it an attractive platform for countries seeking to enhance trade, investment, and economic development. However, according to Wildau, the effectiveness of the group in moving beyond vague solidarities to coordinated action remains uncertain, especially with its latest expansion potentially increasing both its influence and internal complexities.
Putin is set to hold a press conference following the conclusion of the summit on Thursday.
