Chinese leader Xi Jinping hailed Russia and China’s “stable and resilient” ties as he began talks with counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Moscow, a show of solidarity in the face of global uncertainties unleashed by US President Donald Trump’s “America First” diplomacy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on May 8 and held his first meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti reported. Xi is one of 27 leaders expected to attend the Victory Day parade in the Russian capital on May 9.

The Russian president applauded China and Russia's partnership and called "the combat brotherhood" of the two nations a key pillar to its strategic cooperation, as Moscow's all-out war in Ukraine continues.