Xi likens US dominance to fascism as he meets Putin in Moscow

Xi Jinping compares US hegemony to fascist aggression ahead of Moscow summit with Putin, reinforcing China-Russia unity against Western pressure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 8, 2025. Photo by Yuri Kochetkov/AFP

By Clarisa Sendy and Anna Fadiah

Chinese President Xi Jinping has intensified his rhetorical assault on the United States, likening modern American hegemony to the fascist forces defeated in World War II. His remarks, published on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, coincide with a high-profile summit in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting comes amid escalating geopolitical tension and a deepening strategic alliance between Beijing and Moscow.

Xi’s comparison of the US to fascist regimes is among his most provocative criticisms to date. In an article published across Chinese and Russian state media, Xi wrote, “The just forces of the world, including China and the Soviet Union, fought bravely and defeated the arrogant fascist forces side-by-side. Eighty years later, unilateralism, hegemony and bullying are extremely harmful. Humanity is once again at the crossroads.” This historical parallel sets the tone for a summit designed to project unity between China and Russia in opposition to what both leaders perceive as a US-led world order that threatens their national interests.

A show of unity amid US pressure

Xi's visit to Moscow and participation in Russia’s Victory Day celebrations serve to showcase the resilience of the China-Russia relationship in the face of increasing US hostility. President Donald Trump’s reimposition of tariffs on Chinese goods and efforts to pressure Moscow into a peace deal with Ukraine have only driven the two countries closer.

At the Kremlin, Putin welcomed Xi warmly, calling him his “dear friend.” This summit marks their first in-person meeting since Trump assumed office in January, and it underscores their shared interest in countering US economic and geopolitical influence.

Putin also confirmed that he would travel to China later this year to mark the anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, another symbolic gesture that reinforces the enduring bond between the two powers.

Xi responded by emphasizing their joint commitment to reshape global power structures, stating, “China and Russia will decisively defend the interests and rights of our states and all developing countries, form an equal, balanced multi-polar world, and foster inclusive, accessible economic globalization.”

Tensions over Ukraine and Taiwan

The meeting takes place against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, where Putin continues to frame his invasion in historical terms, equating Ukraine’s government with Nazi Germany. While China has not explicitly endorsed Russia’s military actions, it has refused to condemn the war and has helped Moscow weather Western sanctions.

Xi notably avoided any direct mention of Ukraine in his article, instead focusing on China and Russia’s roles as “constructive forces in maintaining global strategic stability” and upholding the United Nations Charter. This position has drawn criticism, given the UN’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion and the international community’s accusations of war crimes against Putin’s regime.

Despite Beijing’s diplomatic balancing act, the war in Ukraine continues to complicate its relations with Europe. Some Chinese analysts believe Xi would welcome a peace deal if it could stabilize relations with the European Union and prevent further economic fallout.

Zhu Feng, dean of the School of International Studies at Nanjing University, observed, “If the war could be ended then China could finally finish this tightrope act with Russia and the West and get back to smoother relations between the great powers. The Ukraine war is always haunting China.”

Economic ties deepen, but limits remain

Economic cooperation between China and Russia has surged in recent years, particularly after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Bilateral trade rose from $147 billion in 2021 to $245 billion in 2024. Much of this increase is due to China’s purchases of Russian hydrocarbons and sales of vehicles and consumer goods to Russia, replacing Western suppliers driven out by sanctions.

However, trade growth has recently slowed, reflecting Russia’s limited capacity to absorb more Chinese exports. Plummeting Russian demand for Chinese vehicles and falling energy prices have contributed to a slowdown in commerce.

According to Li Mingjiang, professor at Nanyang Technological University, “The economic relationship between China and Russia is already very high, in part because of the war in Ukraine, and there may not be a lot of additional potential.”

Expanding trade further would require ambitious infrastructure investments, such as the long-discussed Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline, which has stalled due to China’s hesitancy. Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, noted that Russia’s economic instability and high inflation are also major obstacles.

Trump’s tariffs complicate China's calculus

The reintroduction of steep US tariffs on Chinese exports—some as high as 125 percent—has shifted China’s priorities and increased the appeal of deepening ties with Russia. Some analysts believe that if Trump refuses to negotiate a new trade agreement with Beijing, China may become more willing to defy US sanctions and ramp up its support for Moscow.

Gabuev stated, “If there are 125 percent tariffs, they can just tell the US to screw themselves and do whatever they want with Russia.”

Still, Beijing remains wary of isolating itself further from Europe. Chinese officials are reportedly quietly signaling to European counterparts their interest in contributing to a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Li from Nanyang Technological University said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Chinese officials quietly deliver certain messages that may help reassure the Europeans that China will try to quietly play a helpful role in terms of a ceasefire deal.”

Victory Day optics and global messaging

Xi’s presence at Friday’s Red Square parade, alongside leaders from Brazil, Serbia, and Slovakia, will provide a powerful image of solidarity with Russia. The Kremlin aims to leverage these optics to suggest that Moscow is far from isolated, despite sanctions and condemnation from the West.

Yet the celebrations have been marred by a series of Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia, which forced temporary closures at several Moscow airports. The timing of these attacks underlines the vulnerability of Russia’s security apparatus, even as it attempts to showcase military strength.

Xi is also expected to use the event to reiterate China’s claim over Taiwan, an issue that remains a major flashpoint in US-China relations. By associating Taiwan’s status with historical narratives of national sovereignty and resistance to foreign domination, Beijing seeks to bolster its domestic legitimacy and signal resolve to the international community.

A risky balancing act for Xi

While Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin present a united front, their interests are not entirely aligned. China’s desire to maintain stable ties with Europe, combined with its deep dependence on global trade, makes its position more precarious than Russia’s.

Xi’s fierce denunciation of US hegemony and comparison to fascism may resonate domestically and with some Global South audiences, but it also risks alienating European governments who are wary of authoritarian posturing.

As Professor Li noted, “People will see the irony and the contradictions. That would definitely, for the rest of the international community, weaken the effectiveness of these Chinese narratives.”

Ultimately, the summit in Moscow highlights both the strength and fragility of the China-Russia partnership. It serves as a bold display of defiance against American pressure, but it also exposes the strategic dilemmas facing both powers as they navigate an increasingly polarized world. Whether Xi’s gamble pays off will depend on how long he can balance solidarity with Russia against the broader imperative of sustaining China’s global economic ties.