BEIJING, MY 17 – Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a two-day visit to China from Tuesday for talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the two countries said Saturday, with the leaders expected to affirm their unity shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump traveled to the Asian country.
Putin and Xi will discuss “ways to further deepen the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction” between their countries and “exchange views on key international and regional problems,” Russia’s Tass news agency quoted the Kremlin as saying.
Following the summit talks, the two countries are expected to sign a joint statement and a number of bilateral intergovernmental documents. Putin will also meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and discuss trade and economic cooperation, according to the Kremlin.
Putin’s upcoming China visit will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the 2001 Sino-Russian treaty of friendship. He last visited Beijing in September to observe a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
China and Russia have been strengthening their ties in recent years, with Beijing opposing Western sanctions on Moscow over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which started in February 2022. Russia is also a major crude oil supplier to the Asian powerhouse.
