Putin to visit China for talks with Xi on bilateral ties and global issues

BEIJING - Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to China on Tuesday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the two leaders expected to discuss bilateral cooperation, global geopolitical tensions, and major international issues, the Kremlin announced.

The three-day visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between Russia and China, a cornerstone agreement that has shaped relations between Moscow and Beijing since 2001.

According to the Kremlin, Putin and Xi will hold talks to strengthen the “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation” between the two countries and exchange views on regional and international developments.

The two leaders are expected to discuss trade and economic cooperation, energy partnerships, the war in Ukraine, relations with the United States, Taiwan, and tensions in the Middle East, according to Russian and Chinese officials.

The visit comes days after US President Donald Trump concluded a three-day trip to China, where he met Xi Jinping to discuss trade, Taiwan, technology, and Middle East conflicts. Analysts say Putin’s trip is likely aimed at reaffirming the close strategic alignment between Moscow and Beijing amid growing global tensions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that the agenda would focus heavily on bilateral relations and economic ties between the two countries.

“The agenda is clear - first and foremost, it's our bilateral relations, a special privileged strategic partnership, and a substantial volume of trade and economic cooperation, which consistently exceeds $200 billion,” Peskov said. “And, of course, international affairs will also be prominently featured.”

During the visit, Putin and Xi are also expected to attend the opening ceremony of the Russia-China Years of Education initiative for 2026–2027, which aims to expand cultural and academic cooperation between the two countries.

Following the talks, the two sides are expected to sign a joint statement as well as several intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements covering trade, education, and strategic cooperation.

Putin and Xi have met more than 40 times since they came to power.

Putin is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss prospects for expanding trade and economic cooperation.

China has become Russia’s largest economic partner since Moscow faced sweeping Western sanctions over the Ukraine war. Trade between the two countries has surged in recent years, particularly in the energy sector, with Beijing purchasing large volumes of Russian oil and gas.

The visit will also mark the first time China has hosted both the Russian and American presidents in the same month outside a multilateral summit setting.