Latest news with #Китай
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Putin equates victory over Nazis with war in Ukraine at Moscow parade
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday equated his war in Ukraine with the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, as Moscow marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a major military parade. "Russia remains an insurmountable obstacle to Nazism, Russophobia and anti-Semitism and will fight the excesses perpetrated by the henchmen of these aggressive destructive ideas," Putin said in his speech. Truth and justice are on Russia's side, said the Russian president, adding that the whole of Moscow supported the fighters in the "special military operation" - the Kremlin's term for its invasion of the neighbouring country. Putin emphasized that Soviet soldiers played the decisive role in defeating the Nazi regime. However, he did concede that the opening of a second front in Europe accelerated the Allied victory. He also highlighted China's contribution to the war separately, with Chinese President Xi Jinping among the international leaders in the audience.
Globe and Mail
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Putin and Xi cast themselves as defenders of world order during talks in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for joining celebrations to mark 80 years since the 'sacred' victory over Adolf Hitler in World War Two, and said the two countries stood together now against 'neo-Nazism'. Xi's presence at this week's anniversary celebrations provides an important boost for the Kremlin leader, who has portrayed his war in Ukraine as a struggle against modern-day Nazis from the start. Ukraine and its allies reject that characterization as a grotesque falsehood, accusing Moscow of conducting an imperial-style invasion. 'The victory over fascism, achieved at the cost of enormous sacrifices, is of lasting significance,' Putin told Xi on Thursday. 'Together with our Chinese friends, we firmly stand guard over historical truth, protect the memory of the events of the war years, and counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism.' Xi said the two countries, as world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, would work together to counter 'unilateralism and bullying' – an implied reference to the United States. He said they would 'jointly promote the correct view of the history of World War Two, safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations, resolutely defend the rights and interests of China, Russia and the vast majority of developing countries, and work together to promote an equal, orderly, multipolar, and inclusive economic globalization'. The two men spoke after approaching each other along a red carpet from opposite ends of one of the Kremlin's most opulent halls and shaking hands in front of the cameras. Each greeted the other as 'dear friend'. Xi is the most powerful of more than two dozen foreign leaders who are visiting Moscow this week to mark Thursday's 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two – a celebration of huge significance for Putin. Domestically, it offers him a chance to rally Russians in remembrance of a historic feat that is central to the country's national identity. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in World War Two, including many millions in Ukraine, which was also devastated. On the world stage, Putin aims to cast himself alongside Xi as a defender of the international order, and to demonstrate that years of Western sanctions have failed to isolate Russia. Putin last week announced a unilateral three-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, beginning on Thursday. Ukraine has not committed to abide by it, calling it a ruse by Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war. Instead, it has declared its willingness to join a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days . Both countries are under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to reach a peace deal, and Washington has threatened repeatedly to walk away from talks unless there is clear progress. Ukraine targeted Moscow with drones for three days earlier this week, but the skies above the capital were calm on Thursday. With so many foreign leaders present, any attacks during the May 9 events could embarrass Putin and would likely draw a tough response from Moscow. A Ukrainian military spokesperson told Reuters that Russian troops had continued to conduct assaults in several areas on the eastern front, despite the ceasefire. The air force said Russian aircraft had launched guided bombs on the Sumy region of northern Ukraine three times. But the air force also said there had been no Russian missiles or drones in Ukrainian airspace since the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in. Chinese troops will take part in Friday's military parade on Red Square, the centrepiece of the commemorations. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged countries not to send their militaries to participate, saying it would go against some countries' declared neutrality in the war. Xi has called for talks to end the conflict in Ukraine and has accused the U.S. of stoking it with weapons supplies to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in the past urged him to try to persuade Putin to halt the war. Xi, whose country is locked in a tariff war with the United States, is expected to sign numerous agreements to deepen the 'no limits' strategic partnership that Russia and China signed in 2022, less than three weeks before Putin sent his army into Ukraine. China is Russia's biggest trading partner and has thrown Moscow an economic lifeline that has helped it navigate Western sanctions. China buys more Russian oil and gas than any other country.
Asharq Al-Awsat
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Putin Says Russia Stands with China against 'Neo-Nazism'
Russian President Vladimir Putinthanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for joining celebrations to mark 80 years since the "sacred" victory over Adolf Hitler in World War Two, and said the two countries stood together now against "neo-Nazism". Xi's presence at this week's anniversary celebrations provides an important boost for the Kremlin leader, who has portrayed his war in Ukraine as a struggle against modern-day Nazis from the start. Ukraine and its allies reject that characterization as a grotesque falsehood, accusing Moscow of conducting an imperial-style invasion. "The victory over fascism, achieved at the cost of enormous sacrifices, is of lasting significance," Putin told Xi on Thursday. "Together with our Chinese friends, we firmly stand guard over historical truth, protect the memory of the events of the war years, and counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism." Xi said the two countries, as world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, would work together to counter "unilateralism and bullying" - an implied reference to the United States. He said they would "jointly promote the correct view of the history of World War Two, safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations, resolutely defend the rights and interests of China, Russia and the vast majority of developing countries, and work together to promote an equal, orderly, multipolar, and inclusive economic globalization". The two leaders spoke after approaching each other along a red carpet from opposite ends of one of the Kremlin's most opulent halls and shaking hands in front of the cameras. Each greeted the other as "dear friend". Xi is the most powerful of more than two dozen foreign leaders who are visiting Moscow this week to mark Thursday's 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. The celebrations are taking place at a key moment in the war with Ukraine, as Moscow and Kyiv come under US pressure to reach a peace deal. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged countries not to send their militaries to participate in the May 9 parade, saying such participation would go against some countries' declared neutrality in the war. Xi, whose country is locked in a tariff war with the United States, is expected to sign numerous agreements to deepen the "no limits" strategic partnership that the two countries signed in 2022, less than three weeks before Putin sent his army into Ukraine. China is Russia's biggest trading partner and has thrown Moscow an economic lifeline that has helped it navigate Western sanctions. China buys more Russian oil and gas than any other country.
South China Morning Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
How China became central to Russia's Victory Day parade
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, celebrating Victory Day on May 9 appears to be a top priority. Unable to defeat Ukraine after more than three years of war, Putin is preparing to bask in the glory of the Soviet Union's triumph over the Nazi Germany – a victory for which he can claim no credit. Advertisement This year, leaders of several former Soviet republics – Belarus, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia – and the presidents of Brazil, Burkina Faso, Vietnam, Cuba, Palestine, Venezuela and Republika Srpska (an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina), are expected to attend the event and watch Russian troops march on Moscow's Red Square, even as their fellow soldiers continue to die in Ukraine. For Putin, the most important guest undoubtedly is Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is scheduled to visit the Russian capital on May 7. Putin's summit with Xi comes after the de facto failure of Russia's negotiation with the United States for peace in Ukraine. As US President Donald Trump's efforts to freeze the Ukraine conflict failed to yield results, Washington has continued to arm Kyiv. Recently, the US reportedly transferred decommissioned F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to supply spare parts for aircraft donated by European partners. Back in March, while Russian and American officials were discussing a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, it became clear Washington had no intention of completely abandoning Kyiv. Polish media reported that US arms supplies to Ukraine had resumed through Poland. Moreover, after Kyiv and Washington signed a long-awaited minerals deal , which is expected to give the US access to Ukraine's natural resources, the chances of the Trump administration allowing Russia to achieve any of its strategic goals in the Eastern European nation are rather slim. Therefore, the Ukraine war will go on – and Moscow and Washington are unlikely to normalise their relations any time soon. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral at St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on April 26. Photo: AFP/Official Telegram channel of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak Fully aware of this, the Kremlin is counting on Beijing's support. Putin and Xi are expected to agree in Moscow to advance the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China.
