Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit Moscow on 9 May 2025 to participate in the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, a commemoration of the end of the Second World War, which Russia continues to refer to as the Great Patriotic War.
Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov has stated that Xi has accepted an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has neither confirmed nor denied the visit.
A potential visit by Xi to Russia would be significant, occurring shortly after Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the start of his new administration. The trip could serve as a signal of strategic unity between Moscow and Beijing at a time when Washington may seek to increase pressure on Russia through additional sanctions in response to Putin’s continued war against Ukraine.
Geopolitical Implications
For Russia, Xi’s presence in Moscow would demonstrate that the Kremlin is not isolated despite Western attempts to curb its global influence. Since the imposition of sanctions in 2022, China has played a crucial role in mitigating their impact by expanding trade and technological cooperation with Russia. The Kremlin is keen to deepen this economic partnership, particularly in ways that support its military-industrial complex.
At the same time, Xi has strategic reasons to maintain close ties with Putin. The United States has consistently expressed its intent to drive a wedge between Beijing and Moscow, with both Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, stating that weakening Sino-Russian ties is a priority.
However, China views its partnership with Russia as essential for counterbalancing U.S. influence in Asia and Europe. Both nations share a vision of global governance that challenges Western democratic norms, and they see Washington as the main obstacle to their geopolitical ambitions.
Russia and China’s Shared Vision
The alignment between Russia and China is driven by more than just economic interests. Both governments oppose what they perceive as U.S. hegemony and seek to reshape the international order.
Moscow aims to reassert its influence over Eastern Europe, while Beijing sees itself as the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific. In this context, both countries view U.S. military and economic influence as a direct challenge to their long-term strategic goals.
Moscow has long sought to limit U.S. involvement in Europe, believing that American presence prevents Russia from reclaiming its historical sphere of influence.
Beijing, meanwhile, is determined to reduce Washington’s role in Asia, particularly regarding Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
The two nations also share a common interest in expanding their influence in Latin America and Africa, where they have made significant inroads through economic and military partnerships.
BRICS and the Anti-American Axis
The BRICS bloc—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has become an important platform for Moscow and Beijing to promote a multipolar world order.
The expansion of BRICS is part of a broader strategy to weaken U.S. dominance by engaging developing nations in alternative economic and political alliances. Recent efforts to integrate more countries into BRICS signal a growing ambition to counterbalance Western institutions.
For Russia, the war in Ukraine is not just about territorial control but a wider confrontation over European security architecture.
Similarly, China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and its stance on Taiwan reflect its ambitions for regional supremacy.
Both leaders are likely to use their meeting in Moscow to reaffirm their commitment to mutual support in these geopolitical conflicts.
The Moscow Summit and Its Broader Consequences
If Xi Jinping attends the 9 May celebrations in Moscow, the meeting will be more than a symbolic gesture. It will underscore the strength of Sino-Russian ties and send a clear message to Washington that any attempts to isolate these two powers will be met with coordinated resistance.
The discussions between Xi and Putin are expected to cover a range of topics, from economic cooperation to military coordination and strategies to counter U.S. policies.
The visit may also serve as a platform for China to signal its long-term position on Taiwan, particularly in light of concerns that Beijing could attempt to reunify the island by force in the coming years.
The evolving dynamics between Russia, China, and the U.S. suggest that the world is entering a new phase of strategic rivalry.
While Washington seeks to maintain its global influence, Moscow and Beijing are deepening their partnership to challenge Western dominance.
The potential meeting in Moscow could mark another step towards solidifying an anti-Western axis, with implications that extend beyond Europe and Asia.
