Xi Jinping will visit Russia to discuss cooperation next week

First modification: 03/17/2023 – 09:43

“At the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from March 20 to 22,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Xi last visited Russia in 2019. Putin attended the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing last year, and the two leaders met in person at a regional security summit last September in Uzbekistan.

“Strategic Cooperation”

The two will talk next week about how to deepen their “strategic cooperation,” according to a Kremlin statement.

Xi and Putin will discuss “deepening comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China,” especially “on the international scene,” the Kremlin said in a statement, adding that “important bilateral documents will be signed.”

Plan in 12 points

The visit will take place just over a year after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. China has tried to present itself as a neutral player in the contest, although its position has been criticized by Western leaders, who believe that the Asian power is tacitly supporting Moscow.

In a 12-point document released last month on the Ukraine war, China called for dialogue and respect for the territorial integrity of all countries.

On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang insisted in a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba that kyiv and Moscow should start peace talks “as soon as possible.”