Beijing: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit, aiming to bolster ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping amidst the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
According to Anadolu Agency, Putin's visit follows closely on the heels of a state visit by US President Donald Trump, marking a significant diplomatic month for China, which has hosted both Russian and American leaders outside a multilateral framework for the first time. Putin was received by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi before proceeding to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
This visit also marks the first in-person meeting between Putin and Xi since their last video conference in February. The two leaders are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, with discussions expected to cover a broad range of topics, including bilateral relations, the US-Iran war, and energy negotiations. The meeting will also address the potential development of the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, as highlighted by the Kremlin. The leaders are anticipated to sign a joint statement and other agreements following their discussions.
Putin's itinerary includes a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, focusing on trade and economic cooperation. Ahead of Putin's arrival, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, further underscoring the importance of this diplomatic engagement.
In a statement prior to his visit, Putin emphasized the unprecedented level of relations between Moscow and Beijing, asserting that their partnership is not directed against any other nation. He praised the economic ties between the two countries, noting that bilateral trade has exceeded $200 billion and that transactions are now predominantly conducted in rubles and yuan.
The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia, originally signed in 2001 by then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Putin. The two leaders are also set to attend the opening ceremony of the Russia-China Years of Education 2026-2027.
China's hosting of Putin means that all leaders of the permanent members of the UN Security Council have visited within months, following visits by French President Emmanuel Macron in December, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January, and President Trump last week.
In a separate development, China dismissed a report by the Financial Times claiming that Xi expressed concerns to Trump about Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun refuted the report as "completely false."