Putin, Xi rebuke West as Ukraine truce falters

TRUMP'S SPACE-BASED MISSILE SHIELD 'DEEPLY DESTABILISING'

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Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping put on a display of defiance against the West in Moscow yesterday ahead of the Kremlin's Victory Day celebrations, while Ukraine accused Russia of violating a supposed three-day truce Putin had ordered for the occasion.

The Chinese president was among more than 20 foreign leaders in Russia to attend a vast military parade, marking 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, taking place three years into Russia's offensive against Ukraine.

A swipe at the US

After a meeting with Xi that lasted more than three hours, Russian President Putin told reporters the two held "traditionally warm, friendly" talks and addressed the Chinese leader as his "dear friend".