The Russian leader will meet with Xi to exchange views on bilateral relations, which “are growing”, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday in Beijing, after meeting with his counterpart Chinese, Wang Yi.
During the meeting, which will take place on the 18th, the two leaders will discuss bilateral and international issues in a “friendly and frank” dialogue, according to the Kremlin.
Russian presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov recalled on Monday that Putin will participate in the 3rd Belt and Road Forum as a “main guest” and will speak at the event shortly after the host, Xi Jinping.
Putin arrived in China with a large delegation of senior officials, including two deputy prime ministers, and those responsible for diplomacy, economy, transport or finance.
The delegation also includes the governor of the Central Bank, the director of Russian railways and the directors of Russia’s largest bank Sber, VTB bank, gas company Gazprom, atomic agency Rosatom and other executives.
China has served as Moscow’s “lifeline” after the invasion of Ukraine. The Asian country is now Russia’s main trading partner and diplomatic ally.
China considers the partnership with Russia fundamental to counter the liberal democratic order, at a time when its relationship with the United States is also going through a period of great tension, marked by disputes over trade and technology or disputes over rights issues. Humans, the status of Hong Kong or Taiwan, and the sovereignty of the South and East China Seas.
A few weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin and Xi declared, in Beijing, an “unlimited” friendship.
China refused to condemn Russia for the invasion of Ukraine and criticized the imposition of international sanctions against Moscow.
