Putin Arrives in Beijing for Two-Day Summit with Xi as Power Trio Shapes Global Order
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing late May 19 for a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship. The visit follows Trump's departure from China and aims to reaffirm Moscow and Beijing's strategic partnership amid global tensions.
Putin-Xi Summit Underway
Russian President Vladimir Putin—long dubbed an "old friend" of Xi's—arrived in China late Tuesday for a two-day summit coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship.
Key Issues on Agenda
Several issues concerning the oil and gas sector remain unresolved, such as pricing for Power of Siberia 2. However, Putin is optimistic that this week's summit could finalize these details, especially as Moscow expects the Iran war to increase Beijing's demand for Russian crude.
China's Balancing Act
Xi will likely try to toe the line between supporting his old friend and presenting China as a peace mediator. Beijing maintains that it has never provided lethal weapons to either side of the Russia-Ukraine war. "China has consistently maintained an objective and impartial stance and worked to promote peace talks," China's foreign ministry told Reuters on Tuesday.
Geopolitical Significance
The trip, Putin's 25th visit to China as president, aims to reaffirm the two sides' "core interests" amid a fractured geopolitical climate. "We will continue to work hand in hand and spare no effort to deepen the Russia-China partnership and good-neighborly friendship," Putin said on Tuesday ahead of the meeting, adding that bilateral ties were at a "truly unprecedented level."