Putin, Xi rail against West

MOSCOW:

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping put on a display of defiance against the West in Moscow on Thursday ahead of the Kremlin's Victory Day celebrations, while Ukraine accused Russia of violating a supposed three-day truce Putin had ordered for the occasion.

The Chinese president was among more than 20 foreign leaders in Russia to attend a vast military parade on Friday marking 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, taking place three years into Russia's offensive against Ukraine.

After a meeting with Xi that lasted more than three hours, Russian President Putin told reporters the two held "traditionally warm, friendly" talks and addressed the Chinese leader as his "dear friend".

Xi said earlier that Beijing's ties with Moscow brought "positive energy" to a world in turmoil, and that both stood firm against "hegemonic bullying" — a swipe at the United States.

The Kremlin later published a joint statement from the two that described US President Donald Trump's plan for a space-based missile shield, known as the "Iron Dome for America" as "deeply destabilising".

Since Russia ordered troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Beijing has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the conflict, but the West has accused it of enabling Russia economically and diplomatically.

While the two leaders were meeting in Moscow, Ukraine accused Russia of hundreds of frontline attacks.

Russia ordered a truce to coincide with its World War II commemorations, saying it would test Kyiv's "readiness" for long-term peace, but Ukraine never agreed to it and has called instead for a longer 30-day ceasefire.

"Predictably, Putin's Parade ceasefire proves to be a farce," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said.

"Russian forces continue to attack across the entire front line. From midnight to midday, Russia carried out 734 ceasefire violations and 63 assault operations," he added. AFP