Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold talks in Beijing, just days after US President Donald Trump visited China amid the ongoing Iran war.
The meeting comes only a week after Trump’s state visit, making it the first time China has hosted the leaders of both Russia and the United States in the same month outside a multilateral forum.
Putin arrived with a large delegation that is "state-heavy"—comprising energy executives, security officials, and industrial planners—reflecting a logic of "strategic survival under constraint."
Focus on trade and conflicts
According to officials, the leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations, trade, energy cooperation, the Israeli-US war on Iran, and the conflict in Ukraine.
Energy ties are likely to be expanded further, while the two countries may reaffirm or slightly raise their trade targets.
Xi will host an official welcoming ceremony for Putin before the two leaders begin formal talks.
After the meeting, they are expected to sign a joint statement and several agreements covering a range of areas.
Putin is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss economic cooperation.
The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia.
Trade between the two countries exceeded $240 billion in 2023, with China now purchasing about half of Russia’s crude oil exports.
#From TRT World & Agencies