Chinese President Xi Jinping held separate phone calls with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin within hours on Wednesday (February 4), underlining Beijing’s parallel engagement with Washington and Moscow at a time of mounting geopolitical strain over Ukraine and global nuclear arms control.

In his call with Mr Trump, both leaders struck an upbeat tone, discussing trade, military issues, Taiwan, the war in Ukraine and Iran. Mr Trump said the conversation was “very positive” and confirmed plans for a China visit in April, adding that Beijing had agreed to increase purchases of US soya beans. Mr Xi, meanwhile, said he was ready to work with Mr Trump to steer China-US relations steadily through “rough waters”, while reiterating that the US must handle arms sales to Taiwan with caution, according to Asia News Network.

Earlier the same day, Mr Xi spoke with Mr Putin, calling for a “grand plan” to deepen China-Russia ties amid what he described as an increasingly turbulent international situation. Mr Putin hailed the relationship as exemplary and an important stabilising factor globally. The 90-minute call came as US-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine continued in Abu Dhabi.

The calls also coincided with the imminent expiry of the New START nuclear arms treaty between the US and Russia on Feb 5, raising fears of a renewed arms race. Analysts say the timing highlights closer coordination between Beijing and Moscow, particularly as Washington presses China to join future arms control frameworks, an idea Beijing continues to reject.

China has remained a key economic and energy partner for Russia despite Western sanctions, with Moscow reaffirming during the call that it remains China’s leading energy supplier. Observers view Mr Xi’s back-to-back diplomacy as a signal of China’s intent to maintain strategic flexibility while reinforcing its partnership with Russia amid intensifying global pressure.

BOB post