Reports suggest that Xi Jinping, who was handed his term as president earlier this month, is expected to have a meeting with his Russian counterpart Putin in Moscow, possibly as early as next week, reports said.
China’s recent offer to mediate peace talks in Ukraine has been met with skepticism in the West, given its diplomatic support for Russia. This offer coincides with plans for a visit, adding to the ongoing discussion about China’s potential role in international conflicts.
According to a report by Russia’s Tass news agency on January 30th, Putin extended an invitation for Xi to visit Russia in the spring. As reported by The Wall Street Journal last month, the visit is expected to take place in April or early May, possibly in Moscow.
China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the possibility of Xi going to Moscow and the Kremlin declined to comment.
No other details were immediately available.
The sources briefed on the matter declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the issue.
Last month, Putin hosted China’s top diplomat Wang Yi on a visit to Moscow and signaled that Xi would travel to Russia.
China and Russia struck a “no limits” partnership in February of 2022, when Putin was visiting Beijing for the opening of the Winter Olympics, weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, and the two sides have continued to reaffirm the strength of their ties.
Xi has met Putin in person 39 times since becoming president, most recently in September during a summit in central Asia.
On Monday, Xi wrapped up the annual session of China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress, during which he was unanimously confirmed in a precedent-breaking third term as president.
