Putin to visit China for Xi talks, Kremlin confirms

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China to meet with President Xi Jinping on May 19-20, the Kremlin said.

In the statement made by the Kremlin, it was stated that Putin and Xi will discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on important international and regional issues.

The last meeting between Putin and Xi took place in the form of a video conference on February 4.

Saturday’s announcement comes after US President Donald Trump wrapped up his visit to China and at a time when geopolitical coordination between Russia and China has intensified.

Putin’s visit to Beijing is expected to include high-level talks with Xi on trade, energy, defense coordination, BRICS expansion, sanctions resistance mechanisms and international security.

Relations between the two powers have expanded dramatically since 2022, when Moscow and Beijing announced an “unlimited” partnership shortly before the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict.

Bilateral trade has increased since then and energy cooperation has intensified, with Russia becoming one of China’s largest energy suppliers after Western sanctions shifted Moscow’s economic focus to Asian markets.

Beijing is increasingly relying on Russia’s oil, natural gas, agricultural exports and strategic raw materials to strengthen its long-term economic security.

from EFE