President Vladimir Putin will visit China this week at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Kremlin announced Tuesday. This marks Putin’s first trip abroad since being sworn into his fifth term.
“The two leaders will discuss a wide range of issues concerning their comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, identify key areas for further development of Russian-Chinese practical cooperation, and exchange views in detail on the most pressing international and regional issues,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
Putin will be in Beijing from Thursday to Friday, making it his second trip to China in just over six months.
“Following the talks, the heads of state will sign a joint statement and a number of bilateral documents,” the Kremlin added. Putin will visit both Beijing and Harbin during the trip.
This visit comes against the backdrop of a “no limits” partnership declared by Beijing and Moscow just days before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the two countries have boosted trade to record highs.
Moscow has looked to China as a crucial economic lifeline following unprecedented Western sanctions over the invasion.
Meanwhile, China has benefited from cheap Russian energy imports and access to vast natural resources, including steady gas shipments via the Power of Siberia pipeline.
However, their close economic partnership has faced scrutiny in the West, with the United States threatening to sanction overseas banks and companies that work with Moscow.
