Russian president has travelled to the
Chinese capital just days after US leader Donald Trump’s visit
·
Russian
President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday evening and is scheduled
to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.
·
The
visit comes just days after Xi’s summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, which
reset U.S.-China relations under a new framework described as “constructive
strategic stability.”
·
This
year marks:
o 30 years of the China-Russia comprehensive
strategic partnership.
o 25 years since the establishment of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
·
The
Xi-Putin meeting is expected to further strengthen strategic coordination
between Beijing and Moscow amid rising geopolitical tensions.
·
Discussions
are likely to cover:
o Economic and trade cooperation.
o The Middle East conflict.
o The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
o Global security and geopolitical
developments.
·
Energy
cooperation is expected to be a major focus, especially the proposed Power of
Siberia 2 gas pipeline project.
·
The
pipeline would transport Russian gas to northern China through Mongolia,
helping:
o Russia replace lost European energy
markets.
o China reduce dependence on seaborne energy
imports.
·
The
Kremlin said around 40 agreements are expected to be signed during Putin’s
visit.
·
Russia
also expressed hope that Ukraine peace negotiations would eventually resume and
urged the United States to continue mediation efforts.
·
China
and Russia have strengthened ties significantly in recent years as both
countries face increasing pressure from Washington.
·
Officials
from both sides have repeatedly described bilateral relations as being at a
historic high.
·
The
summit is being closely monitored for signals about the evolving balance of
power among China, Russia and the United States.
·
Since
December, China has hosted leaders from all other permanent members of the UN
Security Council, including France and United Kingdom, highlighting Beijing’s
active diplomatic outreach.
After
arriving in Beijing on Tuesday evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set
to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Wednesday (20.05.2026).
Putin
is visiting the Chinese capital just days after the landmark summit between Xi
and US President Donald Trump, which marked a reset in bilateral ties and a new
diplomatic framework called “constructive strategic stability”.
This
year also marks the 30th anniversary of a comprehensive strategic partnership
between China and Russia, and 25 years since the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation was set up – a security grouping backed by Beijing and Moscow.
The
Xi-Putin summit is likely to cement their strategic partnership and
coordination at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and turmoil.
The
two leaders are expected to discuss topics ranging from economic cooperation to
the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, which has dragged on
for more than four years with no end in sight.
Energy
cooperation could top the agenda, particularly the proposed Power of Siberia 2
pipeline to deliver gas from Russia’s west to northern China via Mongolia – a
project that could replace Moscow’s lost European markets while reducing
Beijing’s reliance on seaborne energy.
According
to the Kremlin, some 40 deals are expected to be signed during Putin’s visit.
The
Kremlin also said on Monday that it hoped the peace process “will eventually
resume” and urged the US to continue its mediation efforts on Ukraine.
As
both Beijing and Moscow have come under mounting pressure from Washington in
recent years, the neighbouring countries have strengthened strategic
communication, with officials hailing ties as being at an all-time high.
Wednesday’s
summit will be closely watched for clues on the future direction of relations
between the three superpowers.
Since
December, China has hosted state visits from all the other permanent members of
the UN Security Council, including France and Britain.