<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a video call to discuss the burgeoning economic cooperation between Moscow and Beijing and their relations with the US. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Kremlin leader accepted an invitation to visit China twice this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The call on Wednesday came amid a series of meetings between Xi and Western leaders who have sought to boost ties with China despite differences over the conflict in Ukraine. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/russian-air-strikes-target-ukraine-power-grid/744466f4-a7d0-4a76-b557-83152cca1080" rel="" target="_blank" title="Ukrainian families suffer as Russia targets power grid in record winter"><strong><span>Ukrainian families suffer as Russia targets power grid in record winter</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>European leaders have pressed China for years to end its support for Russia even as Beijing has become the number one trading partner for Moscow, which seeks relief from Western economic sanctions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I would like to once again assure you of firm support for our shared efforts to ensure the sovereignty and security of our countries, our socio-economic welfare and the right to choose our own development path," Putin said in opening remarks that were broadcast by Russian state television.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many of America's closest partners are exploring opportunities with China following clashes with President Donald Trump over tariffs and his demands to take over Greenland from NATO ally Denmark. </span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/xi-jinping-and-vladimir-putin-closer-ties/824484ee-4654-4ba0-818d-4833b0614729" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Xi-Putin call followed visits by the British and Canadian prime ministers to Beijing last month. The German chancellor is also expected to visit in February.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Amid the growing global turbulence, the foreign policy link between Moscow and Beijing has remained a major stabilising factor," Putin said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/husband-on-trial-40-years-after-wife-disappeared/cml7wzbk9000m0hqpac24byq0" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Husband on trial 40 years after wife disappeared</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>Growing Russia-China relations</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Xi said that he and Putin would discuss plans for the development of bilateral ties and "exchange views on major strategic issues," according to a Russian translation of his opening remarks. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He noted the two countries need to "use a historic opportunity to continue deepening strategic cooperation."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Noting that Wednesday was the first day of spring according to the Chinese calendar, Xi said he would Iike to work with Putin on "a new blueprint for China-Russia relations" on a day that symbolises new beginnings, an online report from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Putin praised their "strategic" energy ties along with cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and high-tech projects, including in the industrial sphere and space research. He specifically applauded China's decision to allow visa-free entry for Russians, a move that Moscow reciprocated.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Xi noted that the two had led their countries' relations to a new stage of development in the past year and that their trade and economic exchanges are progressing steadily, CCTV said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Chinese leader called for close high-level exchanges and pragmatic cooperation to ensure the further development of ties with deeper strategic cooperation and more active great power responsibility, Chinese state media reported.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/author-accused-of-child-exploitation-offences-reports-to-police-for-bail/cml7wxidk000n0hojsw3b40k2" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Author accused of child exploitation offences reports to police for bail</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>Putin and Xi discuss ties with the US</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who briefed reporters after the Putin-Xi call, emphasised that Moscow and Beijing "support each other on key issues concerning national interests in the face of external challenges."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ushakov said Xi invited Putin to visit China in the first half of the year and the Russian leader accepted. Putin will also attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that China will host in Shenzhen in November, he added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Putin and Xi exchanged views about their countries' relations with the US, Ushakov said, noting they "practically coincide," including their assessment o Trump's Board of Peace.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Russia and China stand for equal and mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of international law and the United Nations Charter," Ushakov said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Putin had previously thanked Trump for the invitation to join the Board of Peace and said Moscow would consider it. He also offered to earmark US$1 billion from the Russian assets frozen in the US to help rebuild Gaza.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>