Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit China on May 19-20

The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China on May 19-20. During the trip, Putin is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on key international and regional issues. Preparations for the visit have been finalized, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The two leaders have met over 40 times in previous years, with their most recent meeting occurring in Beijing last September. In February 2022, they signed a 'no limits' strategic partnership agreement shortly before Russia initiated its military operation in Ukraine. Reports also mention that U.S. President Donald Trump is visiting China around the same period, prompting inquiries into potential contact between Moscow and Beijing regarding the U.S. delegation. Peskov stated that Russia anticipates its own separate meetings with Xi Jinping.