Xi tells Putin relations are at 'unprecedentedly high levels' at Beijing summit

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Xi tells Putin that relations are at ‘unprecedentedly high levels’ at Beijing summit

'Old friends' Xi and Putin to meet over tea, enjoy a banquet and sign a series of bilateral commitments

Vladimir Putin told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Wednesday that relations between their countries were at an “unprecedentedly high level”, as the two discussed wider economic cooperation and foreign issues.

Speaking on a visit to Beijing, the Russian president called Xi a “dear friend” and noted their longstanding relationship on trade, saying turnover has increased more than 30 times in the last 25 years.

Putin insisted that Russia and China play a “stabilising” role on the world stage as the pair signed a joint statement for comprehensive strategic coordination.

He vowed that Russia was ready to continue exporting energy to China, as the Kremlin said an important agreement had been reached on energy.

Putin sought closer alignment with China as Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine overnight. Two people were killed and six were injured in the southeastern city of Dnipro as Moscow pounded the city with drones, missiles and artillery.

Meanwhile, Nato scrambled fighter jets in response to reports of a drone incursion in Lithuania. The country’s defence ministry said the drone flew near to Vilnius, pursued by warplanes, as the army told people to take shelter and closed the airport.

Jets scrambled amid reports of drone incursion near Vilnius

Nato scrambled jets on Wednesday amid reports of a drone incursion in Lithuanian airspace.

The drone flew to Lentavaris, near Vilnius, and is now headed in a different direction, pursued by Nato jets, said the country’s defence minister.

Lithuania issued an “air danger” warning and told people to take shelter, suspending traffic at the capital’s airport.

"Immediately take shelter in a safe place, take care of your close ones, await new recommendations," Lithuania's army said in a message sent to people in the country's capital.

James Reynolds20 May 2026 09:12

In pictures: Rescue workers put out fires in Odesa after a Russian strike

James Reynolds20 May 2026 09:00

Recap: Xi kicks off summit with Putin

Russian president Vladimir Putin has met Xi Jinping for the start of a summit in Beijing, just days after a similar visit by US president Donald Trump.

Putin and Xi will meet to discuss key international issues during talks over tea that officials characterised as an intimate tete-a-tete between "old friends".

Russia said it had "serious expectations" for the visit, and that it will include the signing of a 47-page document making various commitments about Russia-China relations.

After landing last night in China, Putin was greeted by foreign minister Wang Yi and an honour guard alongside Chinese youths waving China and Russia's national flags.

Earlier, China outright denied Xi had told Trump that Putin might come to regret invading Ukraine – reports that had threatened to overshadow the Russian leader's visit.

Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a reporter: “The information you mentioned does not match the facts and is completely fabricated out of thin air.”

James Reynolds20 May 2026 08:30

Russia formulating response to drones in the Baltic

Peskov adds that the Russian military is closely monitoring the situation regarding drones flying through the Baltic states' airspace, and is formulating an appropriate response, per TASS.

James Reynolds20 May 2026 08:29

China and Russia have reached 'general understanding' on Power of Siberia 2 pipeline: Kremlin

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that there is a general understanding with China on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, but that details still need to be agreed, and that there are no clear timings.

Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom supplies natural gas to China through a 1,865 mile pipeline called Power of Siberia. During the talks this week, a new pipeline is up for discussion, a Kremlin aide said earlier.

James Reynolds20 May 2026 08:27

Putin says Russia ready to continue energy supplies to China

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has concluded his welcoming remarks.

Vladimir Putin now says that Russia is ready to continue supplying energy to China.

He says that Russia and China are committed to pursuing independent foreign policies and playing stabilising roles on the international stage.

The pair finished their comments without taking any questions from reporters.

James Reynolds20 May 2026 08:04

Two more Russian industrial sites set ablaze

Two industrial sites in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region were on fire on Wednesday, after a drone attack, the regional governor said in a statement.

James Reynolds20 May 2026 08:00

What to expect from the Putin-Xi summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, days after Xi had talks with US President Donald Trump.

Here’s what to expect:

- The leaders will sign joint statements and a number of other bilateral agreements, with economic cooperation in focus.

- They they have an opening ceremony for a bilateral education initiative.

- Putin will meet Chinese premier Li Qiang to discuss trade and more economic cooperation.

- Putin and Xi will have a tea session to discussion foreign issues, according to a Kremlin aide.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, said Russia is also considering the possibility of joint projects with the US and China.

James Reynolds20 May 2026 07:30

Putin's large-scale meeting with Xi has ended

China’s China Central Television is reporting that the large-scale meeting between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping has ended.

James Reynolds20 May 2026 07:17

Russian attacks kill two in Ukraine

At least two people were killed and 19 injured in Russia attacks ⁠on Ukraine overnight, local officials said this morning, while Ukraine sent drones to strike industrial areas in central Russia.

In Ukraine, two people were dead and six injured after Russia hit the southeastern city of Dnipro with missiles, drones and artillery, local authorities said ⁠on Telegram.

Another 13 injuries were reported ​in ⁠the northern Sumy region and the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia, including three children, authorities added.

Russia's defence ministry claimed its forces downed 273 ⁠drones over the country overnight, TASS state news agency said.

In Russia, drones attacked industrial areas around Nevinnomyssk in the southern Stavropol region, its governor said on Telegram, adding there was no damage reported so far but the attacks were continuing.

The area is home to Nevinnomyssky Azot, a large chemical plant, which has been a target of drone attacks from Ukraine before.

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 06:57