Putin to visit Chinese leader Xi Jinping days after Trump’s trip to Beijing
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Beijing next week for a two-day trip to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The Kremlin announced the visit, scheduled for May 19-20, comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to China. Putin's trip is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship. The leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and key international and regional issues. This meeting highlights the deepening relationship between China and Russia, particularly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 led to Moscow's increased reliance on Beijing due to Western sanctions. Putin is also scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China in November.