1 hour ago
Last Updated:February 04, 2026, 21:28 IST
Xi Jinping spoke with Donald Trump by phone after a video call with Vladimir Putin, as China and Russia praised their stabilising ties amid global turbulence.
China's President Xi Jinping (R) greets US President Donald Trump before a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 29, 2019. (IMAGE: AFP FILE)
Chinese state-run media on Wednesday said President Xi Jinping held a phone call with US President Donald Trump, but did not provide details of what was discussed between the two leaders.
The conversation came shortly after Xi held a video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders hailed their countries’ “stabilising" partnership amid growing global turbulence.
The Kremlin said Putin and Xi exchanged “opinions" on the United States and that their views “practically matched". The discussion lasted one hour and 25 minutes and took place in a “friendly and trusting atmosphere", Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
According to a Chinese government readout, Xi told Putin that the international situation had become increasingly unstable since the beginning of 2026.
“Both sides should ensure that China-Russia relations continue to develop steadily along the right track, through deeper strategic coordination and a more proactive and effective commitment as major powers," Xi was quoted as saying by state broadcaster CCTV.
Addressing Xi as his “dear friend", Putin echoed similar sentiments, saying that the alliance between Moscow and Beijing remained “an important stabilising factor" in world affairs.
“The Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation is exemplary," Putin said in remarks broadcast on Russian state television.
Abu Dhabi Ukraine Talks
The Xi-Putin video call took place as Russian, Ukrainian and US negotiators met in Abu Dhabi for a new round of talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine.
The conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022, has become Europe’s worst war since World War II and remains at a stalemate despite several diplomatic efforts.
While Putin made no public mention of Ukraine during the portion of the call broadcast on Russian television, the Kremlin later said Xi expressed support for the ongoing negotiations.
The Chinese leadership has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the conflict, though Beijing has never condemned Moscow’s invasion and has continued to maintain close economic and political ties with Russia.
Many of Ukraine’s Western allies believe China has provided indirect support to Moscow during the war, a charge Beijing denies.
Nuclear Agreement Expiry
The Kremlin also said Putin informed Xi that Russia intends to act “responsibly" after the expiry of a key nuclear arms control agreement with the United States on Thursday.
No further details were provided on what specific steps Moscow plans to take once the pact lapses.
The agreement, one of the last remaining pillars of US-Russia nuclear arms control, has long been under strain amid deteriorating relations between Washington and Moscow.
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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:
February 04, 2026, 19:41 IST
News world Xi Speaks To Trump After Call With Putin; US President Says Discussed Upcoming Visit To China
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