Xi and Putin’s Multipolar Moment: A Turning Point in Global Politics?

Xi and Putin's shared vision carries the desire to establish a new order against the West. Does this claim, which aims to shake the glob...

Xi and Putin's shared vision carries the desire to establish a new order against the West. Does this claim, which aims to shake the global power architecture to its core, point to a real-politik future or a strategic illusion?

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Moscow can be seen not merely as a diplomatic summit but as a pivotal moment in global geopolitics.

Taking place during Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations, the visit became the centerpiece of the two countries’ intensified critique of the United States and the Western-led international order.

In an article published in Russian media ahead of his visit, Xi underscored the “unbreakable and profound friendship” between the two nations, saying, “The strong camaraderie between our two nations, forged in blood and sacrifice, surges onward unceasingly, mighty as the Yellow River and the Volga.”

The article called for accelerating the transition toward a multipolar world and preserving the historical perspective shaped in the aftermath of World War II. Xi also stressed the importance of defending economic globalization and maintaining the central role of the United Nations.

Eighty years after the Allied victory, Xi warned, unilateralism, hegemony, and bullying pose grave dangers. “We must learn from history, especially the hard lessons of the Second World War. We must work together to build a brighter future for humanity,” he declared — an unmistakable reference to the ongoing US-China trade war.

Both China and Russia continue to call for a multipolar and “just” world order centered on fairness rather than hegemonic dominance.

They advocate new paradigm of international relations built on strategic partnerships rather than rigid bloc politics. Remarkably, Xi and Putin have met over 40 times in the past decade, highlighting the depth of their alignment.

After the Moscow summit, the two leaders signed a Joint Statement on Further Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Coordination Partnership Between China and Russia for a New Era.

The statement denounced the “extremely negative” impact of US-led efforts to expand NATO’s presence in the Asia-Pacific and condemned the formation of nuclear-armed military blocs in the region.

Following the summit, Putin reaffirmed that China-Russia relations serve as a key stabilizing force in global affairs. He emphasized that the bilateral relationship had reached its “highest level in history” and described it as “self-reliant” and “independent of domestic political shifts or the current international situation.”

What has emerged over the years is not a formal alliance, but rather what could be called an undeclared strategic alliance— a paradigm shift taking shape under the label of a “comprehensive strategic partnership."

China and Russia are acting in concert against the Western-centric order led by the United States. NATO’s expansion and Washington’s Asia-Pacific strategy have fueled a shared perception of threat.

Their common objective is to construct a multipolar and fair global system. Bilateral trade is approaching $250 billion, and joint military exercises, such as Vostok 2018, reflect deepening defense cooperation.

In addition, coordination within multilateral mechanisms — such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank — has intensified.

Nevertheless, the China-Russia rapprochement is not without asymmetry and fragility. Russia, increasingly dependent on China due to Western sanctions, has given Beijing greater leverage. Economically and diplomatically, China holds the stronger hand, introducing an imbalanced dynamic into the partnership.

The 2022 US National Security Strategy explicitly identifies China as the only rival capable of reshaping the international order. Against this backdrop, the US views the China-Russia alignment as a strategic threat.

Brzezinski once warned, “Nothing is more dangerous to US national interests than a China-Russia alliance,” while Kissinger’s approach sought to keep the two powers apart. In fact, a revived “reverse Kissinger” strategy — aimed at driving a wedge between Moscow and Beijing — reflects ongoing strategic thinking within Washington.

However, Xi’s latest visit suggests that such efforts have been, at least for now, postponed.

Both Beijing and Moscow recognize the importance of acting together to maximize their independent interests, often setting aside secondary disputes to stay focused on the overarching strategic trajectory. Still, it is important to note that China’s ultimate goal is shaped by a balancing policy, carefully navigating between cooperation and autonomy.

The world can no longer be governed by a unipolar architecture. The multipolar order envisioned by China and Russia signals a paradigmatic shift, one that is disruptive not only for the West but for global politics at large.

The message from Xi’s Moscow visit is clear: the game has changed, and China and Russia intend to be not secondary actors but leading protagonists in this transformation. They argue that the future they envision is not a strategic fantasy but a political reality driven by historical necessity.

Of course, beyond the rhetorical appeal of a multipolar “fairer” order, it is also worth examining the concrete manifestations — and paradoxes — that such a global reordering may produce.

While this article does not address the potential economic, social, or conflict-related impacts of multipolarity, it is crucial to keep these dimensions in mind for further analysis.

In short, the new world envisioned by Xi and Putin positions itself as both a counterweight to the hegemonic mindset of the West and a transformative force promising greater justice in global governance.

In the end, history will judge whether this vision reflects realpolitik or merely a strategic illusion.

Let us close with Xi Jinping’s memorable words to Putin during a previous visit: “Right now there are changes, the likes of which we haven’t seen for 100 years. And we are the ones driving these changes together.”