Russian President Vladimir Putin had a call Tuesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping as both leaders prepare to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump.

FILE PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping take part in an official welcoming ceremony for delegations' heads at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, 23 October 2024. MAXIM SHIPENKOV/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed ties with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, as the two face a more geopolitically assertive US government led by Donald Trump, who criticised the Kremlin's war against Ukraine on the first day of his second term as president.

Speaking with Putin in a video meeting, Xi called for coping with uncertainties of the external environment with the stability and resilience of China-Russia relations, jointly promoting the development and revitalization of the two countries, and upholding international fairness and justice.

Russian President Vladimir Putin smiled and waved enthusiastically to his Chinese counterpart during virtual talks on Tuesday.

Following Trump's inauguration, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin held a virtual meeting to strengthen bilateral relations between China and Russia.

US president offers Putin chance to negotiate peace as Volodymyr Zelensky demands American troops join Western peacekeeping force

Putin and Xi praised strong bilateral ties, highlighting shared interests and global stability, as Trump began his term as the 47th US president.

Donald Trump has threatened Vladimir Putin with ending his invasion of Ukraine “the hard way” unless the Russian leader comes to the table and agrees a peace deal.ln his usual bombastic style, the US president has called for the “ridiculous” war to stop now,

Also in today’s newsletter, Trump warns Putin to reach Ukraine ‘deal’ soon, and Pakistan to seek extradition of billionaire tycoon from UAE