Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the "world risks returning to the law of the jungle" as he stressed the importance of cooperation during a summit in Beijing on Wednesday.
Xi and Putin Extend Bilateral Treaty
The two leaders agreed to further extend their wide-ranging bilateral Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. Xi stated that the international landscape is undergoing significant changes and the treaty has proven its relevance in this new context.
Xi also emphasized that China and Russia should jointly oppose "all unilateral bullying and actions that reverse history" and pledged broader cooperation in artificial intelligence and technology innovation.
Informal Tea Session Planned
The pair are expected to meet later for an informal tea session to discuss foreign issues, following Xi's recent talks with US President Donald Trump regarding the war in Iran.
Drone Attacks in Russia
Two industrial sites in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region caught fire on Wednesday after a drone attack, according to the regional governor. In the Stavropol region, drones targeted industrial areas around Nevinnomyssk, home to a large chemical plant that has been a previous target of Ukrainian drone strikes.
Russian Attacks on Ukraine
At least two people were killed and 19 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight. In Dnipro, two died and six were injured by missiles, drones, and artillery. The Sumy and Zaporizhzhia regions reported 13 injuries, including three children. Russia's defence ministry claimed to have downed 273 drones overnight.
US Envoy to Visit Russia
US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Russia in the "near future," announced Russian official Kirill Dmitriev, who has been a key figure in US-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
NATO Officer on US Troop Drawdown
NATO's top military officer, US Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, said he does not expect further American troop reductions in Europe beyond the 5,000 announced by Trump. The Pentagon stated the drawdown would involve canceling deployments to Poland and Germany rather than removing stationed forces.
Putin and Xi Hail Relations
In their first summit meeting, Putin and Xi exchanged warm words. Putin called the talks substantial and the partnership "exemplary," while Xi noted that relations had entered a new stage of progress with growing mutual trust.
Russians Feel War's Impact
Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow have brought the war closer to home for Russians, with disruptions and casualties challenging the Kremlin's narrative of a distant conflict. President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attacks as just retribution for Russian strikes on Kyiv.
Report: China Trained Russian Troops
According to European intelligence agencies and documents seen by Reuters, China secretly trained about 200 Russian military personnel in late last year, focusing on drone use. Some have since returned to fight in Ukraine. China's foreign ministry reiterated its neutral stance and role as a peace mediator.
EU Considers Mediators for Ukraine Talks
The European Union is reportedly discussing whether former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi or former German chancellor Angela Merkel could represent the bloc in potential negotiations with Putin, as reported by the Financial Times.
