Putin, Xi Talk Up Sino-Russian Relations On Video Call

The readout of initial comments from Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin has been released by the Kremlin, (link here). On the call, Putin confirmed that he would travel to Beijing for the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in February. Comes as numerous western nations announce either a full diplomatic boycott of the games or decline to send representatives due to COVID-19.

• Putin stated that "A new model of cooperation has been formed between our countries, based, among other things, on such principles as non-interference in internal affairs and respect for each other's interests, determination to turn the common border into a "belt" of eternal peace and good neighborliness."
• Xi: "Today, the processes of profound changes in international relations and the spread of the pandemic are closely intertwined. The world has entered a period of turbulence and great change. Sino-Russian relations, having withstood all kinds of tests, have shown strong vitality and acquired a new breath. You and I, at the helm of Chinese-Russian relations, have maintained close contacts in various forms on key agendas."