Putin to Visit China May 19-20 for Talks with Xi Jinping

Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a visit to his Chinese counterpart from 19 to 20 May, just days after US President Donald Trump wrapped up a state visit to Beijing, the Kremlin has announced.

In a post on Telegram, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Putin would make the official trip "at the invitation" of Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding that it was intended to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two nations.

The pair are set to discuss ways to deepen their countries' "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation" and to share views on "key international and regional issues."

"Following the talks, they are expected to sign a Joint Statement at the highest level, as well as a number of bilateral intergovernmental, interdepartmental and other documents," the ministry's statement said.

Putin will also meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to talk economic and trade cooperation, it added.

It comes after Trump concluded his own rather grand but largely underwhelming trip to China, with the Republican president departing the country on Friday without appearing to have made any major progress on trade, Ukraine, or his war with Iran.