China invites Putin to WWII ‘Victory Day’ celebrations – Kremlin

The Russian president has reciprocated the move by inviting Xi Jinping to the celebrations in Moscow on May 9

Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to celebrations commemorating the defeat of Japan in World War II, the Kremlin has said. The events are scheduled for September 3 in Beijing. During a video call on Tuesday, the two leaders reaffirmed their nations’ strategic partnership, addressing each other as “dear friends.”

Relations between Moscow and Beijing have deepened considerably over the past few years, with the positions of the two powers coinciding on key international developments.

On Tuesday, TASS quoted Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov as saying that China “will be holding celebrations devoted to the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II,” and that Putin “has received an invitation to take part.”

Ushakov added that Moscow had “of course invited chairman” Xi to its own traditional World War II commemorations and military parade on Red Square on May 9.

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In keeping with tradition, the two heads of state held a New Year video call on Tuesday, which came between the New Year celebrations in Russia and China.

Xi expressed hope of bringing the relationship with Moscow to a new level this year, despite “external uncertainty.” He also stressed the importance of safeguarding the victory of World War II and protecting the “rights of China and Russia as UN founding countries and permanent members of the Security Council.”

Putin, in turn, hailed the extent of bilateral trade, which according to Chinese national statistics reached an estimated $245 billion in 2024, with special emphasis on gas exports and nuclear energy cooperation.

The Russian president concluded by characterizing the bilateral ties as being “self-sufficient and independent from domestic political factors and the current global situation.”

Last May, Putin headed to China shortly after his inauguration, marking the first state visit of his fifth term. He was accompanied by a high-ranking delegation made up of several key ministers. The Russian and Chinese presidents held talks and celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Beijing.

Xi similarly traveled to Russia in March 2023 soon after being sworn into office.

During the course of last year, the two heads of state had two more face-to-face meetings, in Astana in July and in Kazan in October.