Strategic Partnership Based on Historical Bonds

Russian President Vladimir Putin, ahead of his visit to China, expressed his commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation between Russia and China in a written interview with Xinhua News Agency. President Putin evaluated Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia last May as a "great success," emphasizing that it served as an opportunity to further strengthen the tradition of good-neighborly friendship and long-term mutually beneficial cooperation between the two nations.

President Xi's visit to Russia coincided with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War (Eastern Front of World War II). President Putin characterized this as having "symbolic significance in reaffirming the strategic choice of the peoples of both countries." During the high-level talks held in Moscow at that time, major cooperation agendas were discussed, and a comprehensive joint statement along with numerous bilateral documents were signed.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and Beijing Talks

President Putin is scheduled to make a return visit to China at President Xi's invitation. The main agenda of this visit is to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where China serves as the chair country. The meeting venue is Tianjin, and President Putin expressed expectations that this summit "will provide new momentum to the SCO, strengthen its capacity to respond to modern challenges and threats, and enhance solidarity across the entire Eurasian space."

Bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping are scheduled in Beijing. President Putin stated that he plans to have in-depth discussions across the full range of bilateral agendas, including political and security cooperation, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties, and will also exchange views on regional and international issues.

Historical Significance of Joint Victory in World War II

President Putin announced that during his visit to Beijing, he will attend an event commemorating the joint heroism of both countries in defeating militarist Japan during World War II. He emphasized that "our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers shed blood together, solidifying the brotherhood of the peoples of both countries and defending the nations' freedom, independence, and right to sovereign development."

This is a symbolic move reaffirming that Russia and China are bound not only by economic cooperation but also by historical and ideological ties. In particular, President Putin added that "President Xi treats his country's history with the highest respect," noting that he is well aware of this through personal exchanges.

Assessment of Xi Jinping: "A Leader with Strong Will and Strategic Vision"

President Putin evaluated President Xi Jinping as "a leader of a truly great world power with strong will." He emphasized that President Xi possesses strategic vision and a global perspective and demonstrates unwavering commitment to national interests.

President Putin added that "at a time when the international situation is difficult and facing a critical turning point, it is exceptionally important for China to have such a person leading the country." This suggests that Russia is further consolidating its strategic partnership with China based on personal trust between the top leaders.

Scope of Russia-China Cooperation: Trade, Energy, Education, Security, and Multilateral Diplomacy

In the interview, President Putin stated that Russia and China are expanding cooperation in a wide range of fields, including trade, energy, education, defense, and multilateral diplomacy. In particular, the two countries share common goals of "joint response to historical revisionism" and "building a multipolar world order."

In recent years, Russia and China have emphasized multipolarization as an alternative to the US-led unipolar system. In this interview, President Putin made clear that Russia-China cooperation is connected to a larger vision of international order restructuring, stating that they "will contribute to forming a more just multipolar world order."

[AI Analysis] Changes in International Situation from Strengthened Russia-China Cooperation

President Putin's remarks demonstrate that the strategic partnership between Russia and China is becoming more solid on a triangular foundation of historical legitimacy, economic benefits, and security cooperation. In particular, the emphasis on the historical narrative of joint victory in World War II is interpreted as a declaration both domestically and internationally that the two countries are not merely a convenient alliance but strategic partners sharing values and history.

The strengthening of multilateral cooperation through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit can be seen as part of efforts to build an alternative system to the US and West-centered international order. The SCO is an extensive Eurasian security and economic cooperation body that includes not only China, Russia, and Central Asian countries but also India and Pakistan, with the possibility of its influence expanding further in the future.

President Putin's high assessment of President Xi Jinping suggests that personal trust between the leaders of both countries is becoming the foundation of institutional cooperation. This increases the possibility that Russia-China relations will develop into a stable, long-term strategic alliance beyond short-term interests, especially in an uncertain international situation.

However, the strengthening of Russia-China cooperation could intensify tensions with the United States and Western countries, and the possibility of sharper geopolitical confrontation particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe cannot be ruled out. It is necessary to pay attention to whether Russia-China cooperation will lead to substantial economic and security achievements, and how this will affect the international order.