Putin and Xi pledge to curb Middle East conflict in joint summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on 20 May at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, signing 20 bilateral agreements and marking the 30th anniversary of their strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of their friendship treaty. In a joint press conference the leaders called for an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East, warning that continued war could undermine the international order and global stability. Xi warned that the world is moving toward a “jungle‑rule” scenario and stressed the need for a multipolar system and new rules of international relations. The dialogue also addressed deteriorating conditions in Central Asia and reaffirmed the deepening political trust and strategic coordination between China and Russia.