Putin Calls for Enhanced Russia–China Cooperation “for the Benefit of All Humanity”

In an interview with China’s Xinhua News Agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the deepening strategic partnership between Russia and China. He highlighted their collaborative efforts within BRICS to elevate its global influence, particularly by creating joint platforms to promote economic growth across member nations.

“Together, we are promoting initiatives aimed at expanding economic development opportunities for member states,” Putin stated, underscoring this collaboration as a cornerstone of the international order.

Putin also pointed out the remarkable surge in economic ties, revealing that trade volume between the two countries has grown by US $100 billion since 2021, with Russia remaining a principal supplier of oil and gas to China.

Highlighting their robust educational and scientific exchanges, he noted that over 51,000 Chinese students study in Russia, while more than 21,000 Russians study in China. Both nations plan to strengthen this cooperation in the coming years by designating 2026–2027 as reciprocal “Years of Education.”

On the geopolitical stage, Putin reaffirmed his confidence that the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin—including the SCO Plus format—will serve as a pivotal milestone. He welcomed the Chinese chairmanship’s priorities aimed at consolidating the SCO, expanding cooperation across diverse sectors, and reinforcing the organization’s global role.