• Putin condemns Western sanctions as a driver of Russia's economic distress.
• Upcoming visit to China marks a deepening of Russia-China ties.
• Trade between Russia and China reached a record high of $244.8 billion in 2024.
• Putin examines historical narratives, condemning distortions of World War II history.
• China's support key in bolstering Russia's economy amid sanction pressures.

On the eve of his pivotal visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Western sanctions that he claims have exacerbated his country's economic struggles, warning that such trade restrictions and the ongoing costs of the Ukraine conflict have pushed Russia towards a potential recession. In a written interview with China's Xinhua news agency, Putin stated that Russia and China unitedly oppose these "discriminatory" measures in global trade, highlighting their economic cooperation as the backbone of bilateral relations. He further described his upcoming four-day trip as "absolutely unprecedented," emphasizing the strategic partnership between the two nations, according to Reuters and India Times.

Putin will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit set to take place in Tianjin before his engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. He will also attend a military parade on September 3 commemorating the end of World War II, where he will be seated prominently next to Xi. The timing of this visit follows Xi’s own attendance at a military parade in Moscow earlier this year, further solidifying the burgeoning ties between China and Russia, according to India Times and South China Morning Post.

Citing the deepening economic relationship, Putin noted that trade between Russia and China surged to a record $244.8 billion in 2024, largely attributed to increased Chinese imports of Russian oil amidst Western sanctions. He indicated that the scope of trade has diversified, now including substantial exports of pork and beef, with financial transactions increasingly conducted in rubles and yuan. This reliance on each other marks a significant shift influenced by the geopolitical tensions resulting from the Ukraine conflict, as outlined in reports by Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Additionally, Putin is expected to address the geopolitical narrative surrounding World War II, denouncing attempts by Western nations to distort historical facts. He expressed solidarity with China in condemning any revisionist history that threatens to glorify former aggressors. Furthermore, he plans to discuss matters related to political and security cooperation along with cultural and humanitarian ties during his discussions with Xi, as reported by both India Times and South China Morning Post.