China and Russia have committed to enhancing strategic coordination to support a multipolar global order ahead of President Xi Jinping’s scheduled visit to Moscow in May. On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow, expressing his anticipation for Xi’s visit next month. Putin noted that Xi would be welcomed with a "rich and well-prepared" program during his trip, which coincides with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. “It is going to be an official visit … He’s going to be our main guest of honour, and we will have a chance to speak about the current state of our bilateral relations and also to discuss our cooperation on multilateral platforms.”

According to a readout from China’s foreign ministry, Putin told Wang that Russia and China should continue sending “strong signals to the world about strengthening strategic cooperation” amid the current global instability. Wang informed the Russian leader that preparations were underway for Xi’s upcoming visit, which, as reported by Russian news agency RIA Novosti, would provide fresh momentum for the development of bilateral ties. The Chinese readout also noted that strategic coordination and political trust had deepened between the two neighbouring countries.

Wang emphasised, “Cooperation between Russia and China is never directed against any third parties, and it does not tolerate any interference from the outside.” He further stated, “China-Russia relations will not stand still, but will only become broader and broader. Our friendship is not oriented towards the present but looks to the longer-term future.”

Wang’s visit to Moscow comes at a time of increasing speculation that the recent improvement in Russia-US relations could be part of Washington’s strategy to weaken ties between Moscow and Beijing. During his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Wang reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Russia in pursuit of a multipolar world order. The talks also served as a preparatory step for next month's upcoming leaders' summit.

“This year, President Xi Jinping and President Putin have twice held strategic communications, guiding China-Russia relations to move forward resolutely [amid unprecedented and turbulent changes in the global landscape],” Wang stated.

“China is willing to work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, eliminate interference, stick to the right path, and promote a multipolar global order,” he expressed. “Today, with my friend, I’m also willing to … strengthen our strategic coordination. I believe that this visit will fully prepare us for our high-level exchanges this year.”

In his opening remarks, Lavrov praised Russia’s relationship with China, describing it as a “historical brotherhood in arms.” He stated that their ties had reached an “unprecedented high level”. He emphasised the commitment to strengthening coordination with Beijing through multilateral groups like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to build a “more just and democratic multipolar world order.” Lavrov further noted, “We note the responsibility of Moscow and Beijing for close coordination in the international arena,” calling this partnership the “most significant stabilising factor” in today’s “complex” geopolitical landscape.

Wang came to Moscow on Monday for a three-day visit, which is seen as a step toward preparing for Xi’s expected trip in early May for Victory Day celebrations marking 80 years since the end of World War II. While Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov previously stated that Xi would attend, Beijing has not yet confirmed this.

The Kremlin has also announced that Putin plans to visit Beijing around September, coinciding with China’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

During their discussions, Wang and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov covered a range of topics, including the Ukraine conflict, Iran’s nuclear program, and developments on the Korean Peninsula. According to Russia’s foreign ministry, both leaders exchanged views on resolving the Ukraine crisis and stressed the need to address its root causes to achieve a lasting peace agreement.

Wang’s visit comes shortly after Ukraine and Russia agreed to a limited ceasefire following negotiations involving U.S. President Donald Trump. As Trump pushes for an end to the war, the swift improvement in U.S.-Russia relations has raised questions about its potential impact on Moscow’s deepening ties with Beijing, which have strengthened since the Ukraine war despite criticism from Western nations.

U.S. officials and analysts often relate China-Russia relations as a “marriage of convenience” formed in response to Western pressure. Some have suggested a “reverse Nixon” strategy, referring to former U.S. President Richard Nixon’s 1972 Cold War policy of engaging with China to counter the Soviet Union.

Last month, Trump told Fox News that Russia-China relations are not “natural” and that the United States did not want to see the two countries “get together.” Despite this, China’s relationship with Russia remains strong, with the Kremlin informing Beijing about its discussions with Washington.

 On Tuesday, In an interview with RIA Novosti published, Wang reaffirmed the strong ties between China and Russia, stating that they would be “friends forever” and “never enemies.” He dismissed the idea of a “reverse Nixon” strategy, rejecting such speculation as a “direct transactionalisation of international politics” and a “relapse of obsolete confrontational and bloc-thinking,” according to a translation of the interview.

Meanwhile, there has been a noticeable shift in Trump’s stance on Russia this week, especially as he grew frustrated with stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine. He expressed being “angry” and “pissed off” at Putin for demanding new leadership in Ukraine. This marks a contrast from his usual criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump also warned that imposing secondary tariffs on Russian oil could affect major importers, including China.

Since 2023, Russia has been China’s largest foreign oil supplier, a year when Putin and Xi committed to increasing trade to $200 billion.

Last week, Russia and Ukraine separately agreed to a partial ceasefire, which includes provisions for prisoner exchanges and a halt to attacks in the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure. However, implementing the deal, brokered after a month of intense U.S. diplomacy, remains uncertain as both sides continue targeting energy facilities. Moscow is pushing for sanctions relief and other concessions, including removing Zelensky. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are wary of being pressured into granting the U.S. access to mineral resources without any security guarantees in return.

Wang told RIA Novosti that U.S.-Russia discussions aimed at ending the Ukraine war were a step “worth taking” but cautioned that the road to peace remained “far away.”

Stressing that “the causes of the crisis are extremely complex,” he stated, “We advocate eradicating the causes of the crisis through dialogue and negotiations, and ultimately achieving a fair, long-term, binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties involved.”