MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China next week for a two-day visit that will include talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the Kremlin announced Saturday.
Putin is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on May 19, where he and Xi will discuss ways to “further strengthen the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation” between their countries, according to a Kremlin statement.
The two leaders plan to exchange views on international and regional issues and sign a joint declaration at the conclusion of their talks.
The Russian president will also meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss economic and trade cooperation, the Kremlin said.
The announcement comes just one day after U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up a state visit to China, the first by a U.S. president in nearly a decade.
Trump’s trip featured a lavish welcome but ended without major breakthroughs on pressing issues, including the war in Ukraine and the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Trump told reporters he had secured “fantastic” trade deals, including commitments for China to buy 200 Boeing aircraft along with U.S. oil and soybeans. But Beijing did not issue a formal announcement, and details of the agreements remained unclear.
Negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, brokered by Washington, have stalled since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran in late February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had urged Trump to raise the issue with Xi during his visit, but no progress was reported.
Moscow has rejected calls for a ceasefire or talks with Kyiv unless Ukraine accepts Russia’s sweeping demands.
Putin’s upcoming trip underscores Moscow’s deepening ties with Beijing as both countries navigate strained relations with Washington.
