Putin to Visit China Amid Shifting Global Dynamics

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China on May 19 for a two-day visit, shortly after US President Donald Trump concluded his high-profile trip to Beijing, the Kremlin announced on Saturday. According to a Kremlin statement, Putin will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on ways to “further strengthen the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation” between Moscow and Beijing. The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on “key international and regional issues” and sign a joint declaration at the end of the talks. Putin is additionally scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Visit follows Trump’s Beijing trip

The Kremlin announcement came just a day after Trump wrapped up the first visit to China by a sitting US president in nearly a decade. The visit was dominated by discussions on Taiwan, trade ties and the ongoing Iran conflict. Taiwan emerged as one of the most sensitive issues during Trump’s meetings with Xi. The Chinese leader reportedly warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push Washington and Beijing towards conflict. Trump later said aboard Air Force One that he had not yet decided whether to proceed with a major US arms package for Taiwan after hearing Xi’s objections. Trump also said he and Xi discussed Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, with the US president claiming the Chinese leader agreed that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and that the strategic waterway should remain open.

China-Russia ties under focus

China has maintained close ties with Russia since Moscow launched its military offensive in Ukraine in February 2022. While Beijing has repeatedly called for peace talks, it has avoided condemning Russia’s actions and continues to describe itself as a neutral party. China has also denied Western allegations that it is supplying Russia with weapons or military equipment for the Ukraine conflict. Instead, Beijing has accused Western countries of prolonging the war by continuing to arm Ukraine. China has become Russia’s key economic partner in recent years, especially after Western sanctions isolated Moscow from many global markets. Beijing remains one of the biggest buyers of Russian fossil fuels, helping sustain Russia’s economy amid sanctions pressure. Trump’s China visit also saw both Washington and Beijing speak about creating a more “constructive” and stable relationship, though major differences over Taiwan, trade and geopolitical tensions remain unresolved.

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