Politics · May 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Beijing, with Xi calling for a halt to fighting in the Middle East but not in Ukraine. Putin referred to Xi as a 'dear friend' and quoted a Chinese saying, as the two leaders issued a joint statement on Ukraine and Xi appeared to take a jab at President Donald Trump. The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine (ongoing coverage). Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said 'foreign forces' cannot decide the island's future. Russia and China commented on the expiration of the New START treaty and pressure on North Korea, while also calling for addressing root causes of the Ukraine crisis and opposing isolation of North Korea. Russia and China agreed to strengthen trade and economic cooperation, extend visa-free travel until 2027, and plan joint events. Japan asked China to ensure citizens’ safety after a stabbing in Shanghai, while a US mayor resigned amid suspicion of being a Chinese agent.