Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov answered questions from reporters about how President Vladimir Putin took the Western response to his Kremlin meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In his briefing, Peskov stressed that the Western reaction, while present, did not carry weight beyond the broader dynamic of international diplomacy. He reframed the matter by focusing on the outcomes of the talks rather than the immediate commentary that followed.
According to Peskov, the stance of Western nations toward the Putin–Xi meeting appeared less important than the concrete results that could emerge from this high-level engagement. He argued that the public mood in Western capitals had a tendency to frame events through political optics, but the more consequential measure would be the tangible decisions and signals that follow from the negotiations themselves. In his view, the ultimate significance lay in the agreements, commitments, and practical steps that could shape future cooperation between Russia and China rather than in rhetorical reactions that often accompany such summits.
Peskov specifically addressed remarks from Ukraine’s leadership during the same period. He noted that the proposal attributed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to incorporate Kiev’s “peace plan” into discussions with Moscow did not arise in the Putin–Xi exchange. The Kremlin official underscored that questions about how Kyiv’s initiatives relate to Moscow–Beijing diplomacy are broader than a single meeting and touch on the broader relationship between China and Ukraine as well as the wider regional security context. He indicated that the topic, while relevant, was not a central feature of the Putin–Xi dialogue and did not form part of the formal agenda as it stood at that moment.
The visit itself took place on March 20, when Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow and held discussions with President Putin. Peskov reflected that the purpose of Xi’s trip, as communicated by the Chinese leadership, centered on strengthening friendship and reinforcing peaceful ties. He added that the visit was viewed as an opportunity to open new horizons in Sino‑Russian relations, with an emphasis on practical cooperation and shared interests. The Kremlin spokesman stressed that the dialogue sought to reaffirm mutual respect, expand collaboration across diverse sectors, and explore avenues for constructive cooperation that could contribute to regional stability and global economic development.
In describing the atmosphere surrounding the talks, Peskov pointed to a careful balance between public expectations and the realities of high-level diplomacy. He suggested that media narratives and political commentary often amplify tensions, yet the core purpose of such summits remains to articulate common goals and to map a path toward concrete agreements. He urged observers to distinguish between the immediate chatter in Western capitals and the long‑term implications of the negotiations, which, in his view, would reveal themselves through actual policy decisions, joint projects, and mutual commitments that endure beyond shifting headlines.
Critically, the Kremlin spokesperson reaffirmed that Moscow views its relationship with Beijing as a strategic priority. He indicated that the two countries share common interests in safeguarding sovereign choices, ensuring regional security, and pursuing development that benefits their respective publics. Peskov articulated a vision in which the Putin–Xi meeting is seen not as a singular event, but as a step within a broader trajectory of cooperation, which could influence global norms, trade routes, and the architecture of international partnerships in the years ahead. While Western commentary may differ, the direct record of the discussions and any resulting accords would serve as the true barometer of success for the leaders involved and their nations.