Putin plans to visit China in May and meet Xi Jinping – Reuters

In May, Russian leader Vladimir Putin plans to go to China to hold talks with Xi Jinping. This is stated in the Reuters material.

Thus, this could be the Kremlin chief’s first foreign visit since he was elected president for another term.

In particular, Putin’s intention to visit Beijing was confirmed by one of the sources on condition of anonymity. Four other sources also provided details, wishing to remain anonymous. The Kremlin chief is expected to visit China, most likely in the second half of May, before Xi’s planned trip to Europe begins.

As you know, Western governments have already made statements condemning Putin’s re-election as undemocratic, unjust and undemocratic. At the same time, officials from China, India and North Korea have already congratulated him on a new term of office that will last six years. They also pointed to a geopolitical fault line that will widen in 2022 with the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Important

China-Russia trade ties have intensified in recent years as the United States and its partners imposed sanctions on both countries, especially Moscow, over the war in Ukraine. Officials of the two countries announced the start of an “unlimited” partnership in February 2022, when Putin’s visit to Beijing came just days before the full-scale invasion.

Foreign observers and diplomats believe that Putin’s first stop after being elected may be China. The official delegation that will attend Vladimir Putin’s inauguration is planned to be held on May 7.

Previously, Putin made a statement regarding the similarity of global views of Russia and China, and the two countries have stable relations, especially thanks to the good relations between Putin and Xi Jinping. Therefore, in the future, Moscow and Beijing plan to improve relations in the near future.

Let’s remember that Politico wrote yesterday that China would boycott the peace talks if Russia was not invited.