Putin and Xi Sign a Key Declaration on the World Order, Just Days After Trump's Visit to China

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, signed a declaration on forming a multipolar world order and a new model of international relations. The signing came after bilateral talks in Beijing, during which the two leaders also attended a ceremony signing a number of agreements to deepen bilateral cooperation. Putin and Xi opened the event by signing a joint statement on enhancing comprehensive strategic coordination and deepening the Russia–China friendship and good-neighbourliness. The event also featured something unusual, namely four officials signing two documents simultaneously, reportedly to save time amid the number of agreements being concluded. The ceremony concluded with Putin and Xi signing a declaration on a multipolar world. Ahead of Putin’s visit to China, Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president’s aide, described the declaration as a 47-page policy document outlining the direction of bilateral relations, a shared vision on global issues, and the main formats of international cooperation. Putin began a two-day visit to China on Tuesday, a few days after U.S. President Donald Trump completed his visit to the country. The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Good-neighbourliness and Cooperation between Russia and China.