
China's Xi affirms ‘no limits' partnership with Putin in call on Ukraine war anniversary
BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed his 'no limits' partnership in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, Chinese state media reported, on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The leaders held the talks as President Donald Trump has pushed for a quick deal to end the Ukraine war, raising the prospect that Washington could draw a wedge between Xi and Putin to focus on competing with the world's second-largest economy.
The call appeared aimed at dispelling any such prospects — the two leaders underscored the durability and the 'long-term' nature of their alliance, with its own internal dynamics that would not be impacted by any 'third party.'
'China-Russia relations have strong internal driving force and unique strategic value, and are not aimed at, nor are they influenced by, any third party,' said Xi, according to the official readout published by Chinese state media.
'The development strategies and foreign policies of China and Russia are long-term,' said Xi, adding that the two countries 'are good neighbors that cannot be moved apart.'
Russia, waging war against NATO-supplied Ukrainian forces, and China, under pressure from a concerted U.S. effort to counter its growing military and economic strength, increasingly have found common geopolitical cause.
Xi has told Putin in recent years that the two have the chance to drive 'changes the world has not seen in a century,' which many analysts see as an attempt to challenge a U.S.-led global order.
China and Russia declared a 'no limits' strategic partnership days before Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Xi has met Putin over 40 times in the past decade and Putin in recent months described China as an ally.
'The Russians will see what carrots Trump may dangle to create distance between Moscow and Beijing, but they are confident that they can keep both pragmatic, beneficial ties with China and engage the United States if Trump is really willing to play ball,' said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.
Trump has alarmed Washington's European allies by leaving them and Ukraine out of talks with Russia held last week in Saudi Arabia and blaming Ukraine for Russia's 2022 invasion.
Putin also informed Xi 'about the recent Russian-American contacts,' according to a Kremlin statement.
Xi said that China was 'pleased to see the positive efforts made by Russia and all parties concerned to defuse the crisis,' noting China's initiatives such as the creation of a group of nations called 'friends of peace.'
These efforts have focused on portraying China as a neutral peacemaker, but critics say they lack substance because the West accuses China of supporting Russia's war effort through supplies of dual-use goods and massive purchases of Russian oil and gas.
China has denied it supports Russia's military-industrial base. China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, said at the Munich Security Conference last week that China would not stop buying Russia's gas because doing so would make China unsafe.
Instead, Xi has directed bureaucrats to study Trump's policies and to respond to his initial tariffs and threats, as China's struggling economy with high youth unemployment is poorly placed to weather another trade war with Washington.
This was the second call both leaders have held this year, after they discussed how to build ties with Trump in January.
Gabuev said that the 'fact that both sides did it on the third anniversary of the war just tells you how robust this partnership has become.'
The two sides also discussed preparations for the commemoration of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Earlier this month, Xi accepted Russia's invitation to attend the event in May.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Reuters
25 minutes ago
- Reuters
Ukraine brings home new group of POWs, Zelenskiy says
KYIV, June 10 (Reuters) - Ukraine on Tuesday returned a new group of prisoners of war as part of an earlier agreement with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. "Today marks the first stage of the return of our seriously wounded and injured soldiers from Russian captivity. All of them require immediate medical attention. This is an important humanitarian act," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messenger.


Reuters
25 minutes ago
- Reuters
Denmark picks French, German and Norwegian air defence suppliers
COPENHAGEN, June 10 (Reuters) - Denmark will acquire short-range air defence systems from MBDA France, Germany's Diehl Defence and Kongsberg Gruppen ( opens new tab of Norway, the Nordic country's defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in February ordered the military to go on a buying spree to beef up the country's defences in preparation for potential future Russian aggression in Europe. Denmark will spend over six billion Danish crowns ($919 million) on the artillery acquisition, with the first deliveries expected in 2026, the defence ministry said. Denmark received 10 offers, including from suppliers in Turkey, Israel and Italy, and decided in the end to buy systems from French and German suppliers and to lease one from Norway's Kongsberg, it added. ($1 = 6.5304 Danish crowns)

Reuters
29 minutes ago
- Reuters
E-Katalog Launches PriceHub in UK as Independent Price Comparison Platform
LONDON, United Kingdom, June 10, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- E-Katalog, opens new tab, one of Eastern Europe's leading price comparison platforms, has launched its service in the United Kingdom under the new brand name PriceHub, opens new tab. The rebranding reflects the company's strategy to adapt its Ukrainian platform to the specific characteristics of the UK e-commerce market and positions the service as an independent alternative to existing comparison services. PriceHub lets British consumers compare prices and technical specifications for millions of products from thousands of online retailers, including both large chains and specialized stores. Particular attention is paid to the independence and transparency of comparisons — unlike marketplaces and affiliate platforms, PriceHub does not distort results with sponsored listings. 'The United Kingdom represents a unique market where global giants and strong local players coexist,' said Anatolii Skrypniak, founder of E-Katalog. 'PriceHub was created specifically for British consumers who value independent comparisons and in-depth analysis of product specifications.' International Expansion and Localization The launch of PriceHub in the UK is part of the company's large-scale international expansion. In Ukraine, E-Katalog serves millions of users each month, offering a wide range of product categories — from home appliances to electronics. In 2021, the company successfully launched E-Katalog in Poland, opens new tab, and in 2023 it entered the U.S. market with the E-Catalog platform, opens new tab. Each localization involves full adaptation to local conditions: support for local currencies and languages, integration with regional online stores, and consideration of consumer behavior. For example, American users actively search for smartphones, opens new tab with specific features, while the UK version emphasizes categories such as smartwatches, opens new tab and other high-tech products. Focus on Conscious Consumption PriceHub positions itself as a tool for conscious consumption. The platform provides detailed information not only on prices, but also on product durability, energy efficiency, environmental characteristics, and verified user reviews. This helps consumers make informed decisions and reduce the number of impulse purchases. 'We want to change the culture of online shopping,' Skrypniak explains. 'Instead of quick purchases based on advertising, we offer deep analysis and comparison. Our goal is to help people buy exactly what they need — at the best price and with a full understanding of the product's features.' Technological Advantages and Independence A key advantage of PriceHub is its technological independence from sellers. The company partners with thousands of retailers and presents all offers available on the market equally to the user, ensuring the objectivity of comparisons (for example, mobile phones, opens new tab). The platform uses proprietary algorithms for automatic data collection and analysis, enabling real-time processing of information on millions of products. The system automatically tracks price changes, new product listings, and specification updates. Special attention is paid to data quality: PriceHub uses machine learning technologies to verify the accuracy of product information and detect potentially misleading or unethical offers. Development Plans The company plans to actively develop its presence in the United Kingdom, focusing on expanding its network of partner stores and improving the user experience. In the near future, PriceHub will launch a mobile application for the UK market and integrate with popular local delivery services. 'The UK market is an important step in our European expansion,' Skrypniak notes. 'We see great potential for independent comparison services in Europe, where consumers value transparency and quality information.' In the long term, E-Katalog plans to expand into markets such as France, Italy, and Germany, each time taking into account local market specifics and, where necessary, adapting its branding. About E-Katalog E-Katalog is a Ukrainian technology company founded in 2001 that develops platforms for comparing product prices and specifications. It serves millions of users each month across Ukraine, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The platform features data on millions of products from thousands of online retailers, using proprietary technology to ensure accuracy and relevance. E-Katalog's mission is to equip consumers with the tools they need to make informed purchasing decisions. For more information, visit Media Contact Vadym Koruzinfo@ ### SOURCE: E-Katalog Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire