Xi-Putin summit live: Russia says it remains reliable energy supplier amid Iran crisis

This live article is freely available to our registered users. Please log in or create an account below.After arriving in Beijing on Tuesday evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Wednesday.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 the United Kingdom.Reporting by Fan Chen, Victoria Bela, Orange Wang, Albee Zhang and Cao Jiaxuan coverage: