Vladimir Putin arrives in China for a state visit as Russian forces advance into Ukraine

Hong Kong
CNN
—

Russian Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing at the start of a two-day state visit, underscoring close alignment with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Russian forces advance into Ukraine.

The visit is Putin’s first symbolic foray abroad since entering the country A new term as President of Russia Last week – is the latest sign of deepening ties as the two countries bond their countries more closely in the face of intense friction with the West.

Putin arrived in the Chinese capital hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Wednesday through his office that he would do so. Stop all upcoming international visitsWhile his forces defended against the Russian advance in the Kharkiv region in the northeast of his country.

War, as well Conflict in GazaThis is expected to be part of the Xi-Putin meetings, along with discussions on expanding trade, security and energy relations.

Ahead of the trip, Putin praised the “unprecedented level of strategic partnership” between the two countries in an interview with Chinese state media Xinhua.

He said the leaders aim to “strengthen foreign policy coordination” and deepen cooperation in “industry, high technology, outer space, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and other innovative sectors.”

He also praised “China’s approaches to resolving the crisis in Ukraine.” Beijing has never condemned the Russian invasion, but rather claims neutrality in the conflict and called for peace talks that take the positions of both sides into account.

The two leaders – who announced a “borderless” partnership weeks before the February 2022 invasion – have continued to strengthen diplomatic, trade and security ties between their countries since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They see each other as key partners in their converging vision for reshaping the global order that they see as being led by the United States.

Trade between Two economies rose in the wake of the warrecording record levels last year, like other countries Sanctions were imposed aimed at draining Russia’s war coffers and limiting its access to goods that could be used on the battlefield.

Xi is hosting Putin in Beijing as the Chinese leader comes under increasing pressure from the US and Europe to ensure Chinese exports do not support Russia’s war effort.

White House officials in recent weeks have done just that I faced China On what they think is Beijing’s Great support – in the form of goods such as machine tools, drones, jet engines, and microelectronics – for Russia’s defense industrial base.

This is the fourth personal meeting between Xi and Putin – known for their personal chemistry – since the invasion and Putin’s second visit to Beijing at that time. Xi will also visit Moscow in 2023 after entering his new term as China’s president.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the two leaders are expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements. They are also expected to celebrate 75 years of their diplomatic relations in what Chinese state media described as a “celebratory event.”

Besides meeting with Xi in Beijing, Putin is also expected to visit Harbin, the capital of China’s northeastern Heilongjiang province and bordering Russia’s Far East, where he will attend trade and cooperation forums.