Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China on May 19 for a two-day visit, following US President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing, the Kremlin announced on Saturday.
During the visit, Putin will discuss with Chinese President Xi Jinping ways to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Moscow and Beijing, according to a Kremlin statement. The two leaders will exchange views on key international and regional issues and sign a joint declaration at the conclusion of their talks. Putin is also scheduled to discuss economic and trade cooperation with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
The announcement comes just after Trump wrapped up the first visit to China by a US president in nearly a decade. While Trump and Xi discussed the Ukraine-Russia conflict and Trump’s war with Iran, the Republican president left China without a breakthrough on either front. China has consistently called for talks to end the Ukraine conflict but has never condemned Russia for its 2022 invasion, presenting itself as neutral. Beijing denies providing Moscow with weapons or military components, blaming Western countries for prolonging the war by arming Ukraine.
China, as the world’s top buyer of Russian fossil fuels, has become Moscow’s key economic partner, especially after Western sanctions on Russian oil and gas. Negotiations to end the Ukraine war, brokered by the US, have stalled since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran began. Moscow has ruled out a ceasefire or negotiations unless Kyiv meets its demands.
The visit underscores the deepening ties between Russia and China amid global tensions. For more context, see Russia–China relations and Reuters World News.
Source: ARY News