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.

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

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

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.

"All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the US is being cancelled," a State Department memo says, following an executive order from President Trump.

The yearly custom of the two leaders conversing around the new year highlights the two nations strong personal bond, particularly the timing of it this year, as it comes hours after Trump was sworn in

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.View on euronews

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,

The order will deploy 1,500 troops to build physical barriers, but they will not be used for law enforcement, a military official says.

Federal prosecutors could investigate state and local officials who do not cooperate with Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies.