Putin and Xi Strategize on G7 Discord, BRICS Unity, and Israel-Iran Tensions in Key Dialogue
Photo credit- India Today
On Thursday, June 19, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in an hour-long telephone conversation, during which they discussed several key international issues, including what the Kremlin described as noticeable tensions or “rough edges” among the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) at their recent summit in Canada. The Kremlin highlighted that the two leaders analyzed the dynamics of the G7 meeting, where the bloc of wealthy nations—comprising the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom—struggled to maintain a unified stance, particularly on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The G7 summit, held earlier that week, was marked by visible divisions, exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s public expressions of support for Putin, which contrasted with the positions of other G7 members. Trump’s decision to depart the summit a day early to return to Washington and address escalating tensions in the Israel-Iran conflict further underscored the lack of cohesion among the leaders. This conflict, involving heightened regional instability, has drawn significant international attention, and Trump’s early exit highlighted competing priorities among G7 nations.
In addition to discussing the G7 summit’s frictions, Putin and Xi focused on strengthening cooperation within the BRICS framework, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with recently added members. The leaders emphasized the importance of deepening their strategic partnership to counterbalance Western influence and promote a multipolar global order. They also addressed the Israel-Iran conflict, likely discussing its implications for global stability, energy markets, and their respective foreign policy strategies, though specific details of their discussion were not disclosed by the Kremlin.
The timing of the call, coinciding with the G7 summit, suggests a deliberate effort by Putin and Xi to coordinate their perspectives on global affairs and capitalize on perceived Western disunity. The conversation reflects the ongoing alignment between Russia and China, as both nations seek to challenge the dominance of Western-led institutions like the G7 while advancing their own geopolitical and economic agendas through platforms like BRICS.