HONG KONG — Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia early next week to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin, a trip that will showcase the growing closeness between the two countries as tensions escalate with the United States.
Xi will pay a state visit to Moscow from Monday to Wednesday at Putin’s invitation, China’s Foreign Ministry said Friday. It is his first trip to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine last year, and comes as China is trying to position itself as a mediator in the conflict despite skepticism from the U.S. and its allies.
“During this visit President Xi will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin on bilateral relations and major international regional issues of mutual interest,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular briefing. “The strategic coordination and practical cooperation between the two countries will contribute to the growth of bilateral ties.”
The visit was also confirmed by the Kremlin.
“The two leaders will discuss key topics concerning the further development of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China,” it said in a statement.
It said a number of “important bilateral documents” would also be signed.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not confirm reports that Xi’s Russia trip would be followed by a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy, whom the Chinese leader hasn’t spoken to since before the war began last February.
“We are in communication with all parties,” Wang said in response to a question about the reports.
China, which declared a “no limits” partnership with Russia weeks before the invasion of Ukraine, has tried to portray itself as neutral in the conflict. It has refrained from condemning Russia’s aggression or even calling it an invasion, while calling for negotiations and being careful to avoid violating international sanctions.
A 12-point peace proposal Beijing released last month received a…
Read the full article here