Russian President Vladimir Putin begins a two-day visit to China on Tuesday, where he will hold talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on expanding ties and pressing global issues.
Putin will be accompanied by a delegation of ministers, business leaders and senior officials, including central bank chief Elvira Nabiullina and the heads of major energy companies such as Gazprom and Rosneft, the Kremlin said.
Due to Western sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine, these oligarchs have become reliant on China as a trading partner.
The visit comes days after US President Donald Trump concluded a high-profile state trip to China. While Putin is expected to be briefed by Xi on those talks, Kremlin officials said that the visit was planned in advance and was not a direct response to Trump.
Talks between Putin and Xi are scheduled for Wednesday, focusing on further developing what both sides describe as a privileged strategic partnership, as well as on regional and international issues. According to the Kremlin, the leaders are set to sign a joint declaration and a series of bilateral agreements.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said that around 40 documents could be signed overall, covering areas including industry, trade, transport and construction.
Among them will be a statement on building a multipolar world order and a new type of international relations, the Kremlin aide said.
A more informal meeting between the two leaders is also planned, including a closed-door tea ceremony where discussions are expected to touch on conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, he said.
