Despite the turbulent geopolitical landscape, China and Russia's deep ties will remain unchanged, Xi Jinping assured Vladimir Putin.

• Despite global geopolitical turbulence, China and Russia's "profound" relationship will remain unchanged, Chinese President Xi Jinping assured Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan on Tuesday.
• "Despite the significant changes happening globally, which have not been witnessed in a century, Xi expressed confidence that the strong bond between China and Russia will remain unchanged."

Despite the global geopolitical turbulence, China and Russia's "profound" relationship will remain unchanged, as Chinese President Xi Jinping informed Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, on Tuesday.

The leaders of Brazil and Russia met at the BRICS summit in Kazan on Tuesday afternoon local time, as per official government statements.

"Despite the significant changes happening globally, which have not been witnessed in a century, Xi expressed confidence that the strong bond between China and Russia will remain unchanged."

During a state visit to China in May, Putin reiterated his stance that the Russia-China partnership is a crucial factor in maintaining stability in the international arena, as stated in the Kremlin's official English readout.

Since February 2022, both countries have emphasized their "no-limits" friendship as a means to counterbalance the U.S.'s global influence in terms of economics and politics.

Xi described the China-Russia relationship as "non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party" in his remarks. He emphasized that the two sides had "acted in the spirit of lasting good-neighborliness and friendship" and "kept deepening and expanding" strategic coordination and "all-round practical cooperation."

'Signs of strain'

The friendship between China and Russia is not without tension, as China seeks to assert its global influence while navigating a delicate balance on the Ukraine conflict by refraining from condemning Russia's invasion.

Beijing has taken care to avoid being linked closely with Russia's conflict in Ukraine and to maintain an appearance of neutrality, as stated by Eugene Rumer, director and senior fellow at Carnegie's Russia and Eurasia program in September.

Despite Beijing's announcement of "no limits" friendship with Russia prior to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, China has not directly supplied weapons and ammunition for the conflict.

According to Gabriel Wildau, managing director at Teneo, the upcoming summit presents an opportunity for Moscow to demonstrate unity with Beijing despite indications of tension in their relationship.

Earlier this week, China tightened its export controls for tech and goods with military use, which signaled to Moscow and the world that there are limits to the Chinese leadership's willingness to support Putin's war effort.

The growing relationship between Russia and North Korea has put China in a difficult position. Although China supported Russia in opposing new sanctions against North Korea, it did not vote on a U.N. Security Council resolution to renew a panel monitoring the implementation of sanctions, which Russia vetoed.

Observers have stated that the increasing economic and diplomatic pressure from the U.S. and its allies could drive China towards Russia.

The BRICS summit, happening from Tuesday to Thursday, will have representatives from 36 countries and will be the largest international gathering Putin has hosted since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The BRICS economic alliance, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was established in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, and the organization now represents rapidly developing nations. It has evolved into a geopolitical forum for the world's most influential nations outside of the West.

The BRICS gained more influence after Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates joined the group in January, making membership to the bloc an attractive prospect for countries seeking to enhance trade, investment, and economic development.

"Wildau stated that the group's ability to move beyond issuing vague statements of solidarity and act as a unified force for concerted action is still uncertain. He added that the latest expansion has made the organization more influential but also more fractious and difficult to manage."

According to Reuters, citing Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin is predicted to give a news conference following the summit on Thursday.

— CNBC's Holly Ellyatt contributed to this story.