Putin Arrives in China to Strengthen Ties Between Moscow and Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin reached China on Thursday on a two-day state visit hinting deepening relations between Moscow and Beijing.

It is Putin’s first overseas visit after taking oath for a new term as Russia’s president. His visit to China is on the backdrop of Russia’s heavy friction with the West.

Putin landed in Beijing hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would halt all upcoming international visits, as his troops defend against Russia’s advances in his country’s north-eastern Kharkiv region.

According to CNN, the Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as the war in Gaza, are expected to feature in Xi and Putin’s meetings, alongside discussions on their expanding trade, security, and energy ties.

Ahead of the trip, Putin praised China’s “approaches to resolving the crisis in Ukraine.” Beijing has never condemned Russia’s invasion.

As many countries introduced sanctions against Russia after its Ukraine invasion, the trade between Moscow and Beijing has surged.

This is the fourth meeting between Xi and Putin since the Russian invasion and Putin’s second visit to Beijing. Xi also visited Moscow in 2023 after entering his new term as China’s president.

Putin is also expected to visit Harbin, where he will attend trade and cooperation forums.