Putin: China is ‘By Far Russia’s Leading Partner’

In an emphatic endorsement of their bilateral relationship, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared China to be “by far Russia’s leading partner.” This statement, preceding the SCO Summit, underscores the central importance of Beijing to Moscow’s economic and geopolitical strategy.
Putin backed up this claim with hard numbers, pointing to a trade volume that has surged by approximately $100 billion since 2021. He also noted Russia’s rise to become the fifth-largest trading partner for China, illustrating a relationship of deep and mutual dependence.
This economic partnership is complemented by a shared political vision. Putin highlighted their “common stand against discriminatory sanctions” and their unified goal of strengthening blocs like BRICS and the SCO. This alignment allows them to act in concert on the world stage.
By singling out China in such strong terms, Putin is signaling that the Moscow-Beijing axis is the indispensable engine driving the push for a “multipolar world.” This partnership will be on full display at the Tianjin summit, where they will lead the charge in shaping the organization’s future agenda.