Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping reaffirmed their “no-limits” partnership during a summit in Beijing, criticizing U.S. military alliances in Asia and the Pacific.

Putin expressed gratitude for China’s proposals to end the Ukraine war, though these have been rejected by Ukraine and Western nations as favoring the Kremlin.

The visit, amid Russia’s ongoing offensive in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, highlighted the deepening ties between the two nations, the Associated Press reported.

China claims neutrality in the conflict but supports Russia’s stance, providing essential components for Moscow’s weapons and echoing Kremlin narratives, including those about Nazism in Ukraine.

The visit underscored the solidarity between Russia and China as they both face increasing tensions with the West.

Written by B.C. Begley