Moscow (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for participating in the 80th anniversary of the “sacred” victory over Adolf Hitler in World War II and said the two countries are now against “neo -Nazi.”
Xi’s presence in this week’s birthday celebrations represents an important momentum for the Kremlin leader, who from the beginning portrays his war in Ukraine as a fight against modern Nazis.
Ukraine and its allies reject this characterization as a grotesque falsehood, accusing Moscow of conducting an imperial -style invasion.
“The victory over fascism, achieved at the expense of huge sacrifices, has a lasting meaning,” Putin A Xi told Thursday.
“Together with our Chinese friends, we firmly defend the historical truth, protect the memory of the events of the years of war, and fight the modern manifestations of neo -Nazism and militarism.”
Xi said the two countries, such as world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, will work together to combat unilateralism and intimidation ” – an implicit reference to the United States.
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He said they will “jointly promote the correct view of the history of World War II, 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 equal, ordered, multipolar and inclusive economic globalization.”
The two spoke after approaching each other along a red carpet, coming from opposite extremes of one of Kremlin’s most opulent halls, and squeezing their hands in front of the cameras. Each greeted the other as “dear friend.”
Powerful guest
Xi is the most powerful of more than two dozen foreign leaders who are visiting Moscow this week to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on Thursday-a celebration of great meaning for Putin.
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Internally, she offers him the chance to gather the Russians in memory of a historical feat that is critical to national identity. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in World War II, including many million in Ukraine, which was also devastated.
In the world scenario, Putin seeks to perform alongside Xi as an advocate of the international order and to demonstrate that years of western sanctions have failed to isolate Russia.
Last week, Putin announced a three-day unilateral ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, starting on Thursday. Ukraine has not pledged to fulfill it, calling him Putin’s method to create the impression that he wants to end the war. Instead, he declared his willingness to adhere to a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days.
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Both countries are under pressure from US President Donald Trump to reach a peace agreement, and Washington has repeatedly threatened to move away from negotiations unless there is clear progress.
