Putin and Xi deepen strategic alliance amid rising tensions with the West

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Moscow on Thursday to reaffirm and expand their “strategic partnership” in the face of intensifying Western pressure. During a high-profile summit that coincided with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, the two leaders signed a joint statement pledging to significantly boost trade and investment by 2030. The agreement outlines plans to scale up bilateral economic ties by increasing the share of high-tech goods, developing new e-commerce strategies, and enhancing mutual supplies of vital commodities such as mineral resources and agricultural products. “In our joint statement with President Xi Jinping, we have…