On October 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the relationship between Russia and China a “standard” for modern international relations. His comments came during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan. The meeting was a display of the growing strategic alliance between the two nations, highlighting their cooperative approach to diplomacy and global governance. Putin emphasized that the relationship between Russia and China is based on equality, mutual benefit, and strategic partnership. According to Putin, this partnership serves as a stabilizing factor in the global arena, and he encouraged other countries to look toward Moscow and Beijing as examples of how interstate relations should be conducted.

Putin’s remarks during the Kazan summit come at a time when both Russia and China are seeking to reshape the global geopolitical landscape. The Russian president stressed that the cooperation between Russia and China has reached an unprecedented level, forming a comprehensive partnership that is not dependent on external pressures, particularly those imposed by Western sanctions.

“We can say with full confidence that [Russian-Chinese relations] have become a standard for how relations between two states should be built in the modern world,” Putin said during his meeting with Xi Jinping. He praised the bilateral relations as a model for stable and resilient diplomacy, which he said offers an alternative to the often adversarial and competitive dynamics seen in the West.

Xi Jinping echoed Putin’s sentiment, praising the deepening ties between the two global powers. According to Xi, the past decade has seen the bilateral relationship between Russia and China reach new heights. Xi underscored that both countries are playing a crucial role in “defending international justice,” a subtle but pointed reference to their opposition to Western-led policies, particularly those from the US and its allies.

Over the past decade, the relationship between Russia and China has evolved from mere cooperation to a strategic alliance with significant implications for global politics. Historically, the two nations have shared a complicated relationship, marked by both cooperation and rivalry. However, in recent years, shared geopolitical interests, economic partnerships, and a mutual distrust of Western influence have driven them closer together.

The partnership has grown significantly since 2014 when Russia faced sanctions from the West following its annexation of Crimea. In response, Moscow turned toward China, seeking to diversify its economic and political ties away from the US and Europe. For China, Russia’s pivot offered an opportunity to strengthen its influence over global energy markets and gain access to Russian natural resources.

One of the cornerstones of the Russia-China relationship is their economic cooperation. China is Russia’s largest trade partner, and bilateral trade between the two nations has surged despite the numerous sanctions levied against Russia following its military actions in Ukraine. According to reports, the trade volume between Russia and China reached $82 billion in the first nine months of 2023, nearing the total amount recorded in 2022. This record-breaking growth in trade reflects the deepening economic ties between the two countries, despite the economic challenges posed by sanctions and the global economic slowdown.

In August, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin reported that over 95 percent of trade transactions between Russia and China are now conducted using the ruble or yuan, reducing their dependency on the US dollar. This move aligns with the broader goals of both countries to challenge the dominance of Western financial institutions and promote a multipolar world order.

Beyond their economic partnership, Russia and China are aligning their positions on a range of global issues. Both nations have expressed strong opposition to Western-led international institutions and have sought to counterbalance US influence in global governance. This has manifested in their cooperation within organizations such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and through various bilateral initiatives.

Putin and Xi’s meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit is symbolic of their shared vision for a multipolar world order. BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has emerged as a forum for these nations to challenge the dominance of Western economic and political institutions. In recent years, BRICS has sought to expand its membership, further consolidating its role as a counterbalance to the G7 and other Western-led coalitions.

In their discussions, Putin and Xi emphasized the importance of cooperation on global security issues. Russia and China have both been vocal in their opposition to NATO expansion, the US’s Indo-Pacific strategy, and various Western sanctions regimes. By presenting their relationship as a model for international relations, Putin and Xi are positioning themselves as leaders of the “Global South,” advocating for a more equitable global order that challenges Western hegemony.

The growing economic cooperation between Russia and China has become a cornerstone of their strategic partnership. The record-high trade volumes between the two nations are evidence of their economic resilience, particularly in the face of Western sanctions. China’s demand for Russian energy, agricultural products, and raw materials has provided a lifeline for the Russian economy, which has faced significant challenges due to its isolation from Western markets.

Moreover, the use of national currencies for bilateral trade represents a significant shift in global financial trends. The reliance on the ruble and yuan for trade reduces both countries’ vulnerability to Western sanctions and weakens the global dominance of the US dollar. This move aligns with Russia and China’s broader goals of promoting a multipolar financial system that offers alternatives to Western-controlled institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

The deepening relationship between Russia and China is reshaping the global geopolitical landscape. By presenting their partnership as a model for other nations, Moscow and Beijing are signaling their intention to challenge the US-led international order. Their cooperation on economic, political, and security issues represents a formidable alliance that could significantly impact global power dynamics in the coming years.

The growing partnership between Russia and China also presents challenges for Western nations. Both countries have been accused of undermining democratic institutions, violating human rights, and pursuing aggressive foreign policies. Their strategic alliance could embolden other nations to adopt similar approaches, further destabilizing the global order.

As the world becomes increasingly divided between East and West, Russia and China’s growing cooperation will likely have far-reaching consequences for international diplomacy, trade, and security. By positioning themselves as champions of a new global order, Putin and Xi are reshaping the future of international relations, offering a model that challenges the traditional norms of the Western-led world order.

Please follow Blitz on Google News Channel