Beijing is increasingly seen as key to securing international stability and economic opportunities, a status which both Washington and Moscow are converging on. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent foreign policy interactions with the leaders of the United States and Russia highlight China’s rising strategic position – acting as a significant player in global affairs, from the conflict in Ukraine to the volatile situation with Iran.

Xi’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has become one of the defining geopolitical dynamics of the modern era, especially in the context of the Ukraine war and the broader reconfiguration of global power.

Putin’s comments earlier this month that the war in Ukraine may be “coming to an end” marked a notable rhetorical shift after years of grinding conflict and escalating geopolitical confrontation.

The statement may have been influenced by Beijing’s quiet behind-the-scenes diplomacy, consistently arguing for ceasefires and negotiations. More notably, Putin’s comments came before this week’s summit with Xi, held in Beijing, a major outcome of which was their joint declaration on the establishment of a multipolar world and a “new type” of international relations.

In this context, their declaration included criticism aimed at the US for attacks on Venezuela and Iran, as well as its proposed “Golden Dome”. They jointly called for countries to stop impeding international trade and threatening supply chains in an indirect reference to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and also shared concerns over Japan’s rearmament, which they say “poses a serious threat” to regional peace and stability.

The summit also highlighted the economic prosperity dimension of the relationship. Russia and China signed dozens of bilateral documents covering energy, transport, trade and technology. These reflect the increasing integration of the two economies as Russia continues to face unprecedented sanctions and restrictions from Western states. Putin, however, stressed that bilateral trade has become more secure because of the shift towards settlements in their national currencies.