Putin, Xi vow to show strength against 'neo-Nazism'

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Kremlin on Thursday, thanking him for joining commemorations marking 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Putin was drawing a direct link between that historic struggle and what he calls the modern threat of “neo-Nazism” amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Xi’s high-profile visit comes as a diplomatic win for Putin, who has long framed his military campaign in Ukraine as a continuation of Russia’s World War Two legacy.

In remarks broadcast from a grand Kremlin hall, Putin said Russia and China “firmly stand guard over historical truth” and are united in resisting “modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism.”

Xi, greeted as a “dear friend,” walked across a red carpet to meet Putin before the two stood for the cameras and issued joint statements.

He pledged Chinese cooperation to challenge “unilateralism and bullying” — a veiled criticism of U.S. influence — and called for a multipolar global order.

“Together, we will promote the correct view of World War Two history,” Xi said, “defend the authority of the United Nations, and safeguard the rights and interests of China, Russia, and the vast majority of developing countries.”

Over two dozen foreign leaders joined the May 8 celebrations in Moscow, but Xi’s presence stood out amid growing East-West divisions. His visit comes as China and Russia deepen their “no limits” partnership, signed shortly before the Ukraine invasion in 2022.

Ukraine and its allies have dismissed Russia’s wartime narrative as disinformation. On Tuesday, Kyiv urged world governments not to send troops to Moscow’s parade, warning such gestures undercut claimed neutrality in the conflict.

Still, China has remained a critical economic partner for Russia, purchasing large volumes of oil and gas and providing Moscow a lifeline under heavy Western sanctions.

The anniversary — commemorating victory over fascism — is now doubling as a platform for Moscow and Beijing to reaffirm strategic alignment at a time of mounting geopolitical strain.