Media statements by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: President Xi Jinping, dear friend. Ladies and gentlemen.

As always, our talks with President of the People's Republic of China took place in a warm, friendly and constructive atmosphere. It was a substantive and productive discussion.

Mr Xi Jinping's current visit is timed to coincide with the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Tomorrow, we and many other foreign leaders will take part in the anniversary events and attend the Victory Parade.

The soldiers and officers of the People's Liberation Army of China will march shoulder to shoulder with the military units from Russia and other states in a ceremonial procession on Red Square.

The President of China and I have also agreed that we will meet in Beijing in September to celebrate another anniversary, 80 years since the end of World War II, and to pay tribute to the Soviet and Chinese troops who fought together against the Japanese militarism.

Overcoming the unprecedented hardship and horrors of war, our nations conducted the ultimate heroic feat to restore peace but also, as is well known, suffered the greatest losses. Today, Russia and China stand together in their consistent efforts to preserve the historical truth about the Great Victory as the common value for humankind, and jointly prevent attempts to falsify history and rehabilitate Nazism and militarism.

Our shared heroic past and combat brotherhood form a solid foundation for the development and strengthening of Russia-China relations. These relations have reached the highest level in history, being self-sufficient and independent from internal political factors or momentary global agendas.

The comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China are built on the unshakable principles of equality, mutual support and assistance, as well as the unbreakable friendship between the two states and two nations.

I want to emphasise that Mr Xi Jinping and I personally control all aspects of Russia-China partnership and do all we can to expand the cooperation on bilateral issues and the international agenda alike.

To be continued.