Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to begin a highly anticipated four-day visit to Russia on Wednesday, offering a significant diplomatic boost to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
With tensions rising between Russia and the West, Putin is eager to demonstrate that his country is not isolated internationally, and Xi’s visit is seen as an important step in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
During the visit, Xi is expected to sign a series of agreements that will deepen the “no limits” partnership between China and Russia, a relationship that has already been cemented by growing trade ties.
China is Russia’s largest trading partner, particularly in energy, with the country purchasing more Russian oil and gas than any other.
This economic lifeline has been critical for Russia as it navigates Western sanctions imposed following its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The timing of the visit is symbolic, as both Xi and Putin challenge the influence of the United States and advocate for a more multipolar world order.
With the U.S. continuing to question both Russia and China’s actions on the global stage, the two leaders are expected to present a united front against what they perceive as Washington’s dominance and “exceptionalism.”
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Russian officials are eager to highlight the importance of the visit, with Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, calling the summit one of the key events in Russian-Chinese relations this year.
The summit, she said, will send a strong signal about the shared vision of Russia and China in defending the post-war world order.
On Friday, Xi will join Putin at a military parade in Moscow to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
Despite protests from Ukraine and calls for countries to avoid the event, Xi’s attendance underscores the deepening ties between Russia and China.
The visit is also expected to include discussions on energy cooperation and the ambitious Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project, which aims to further solidify Russia’s energy exports to China.
This visit marks yet another milestone in the growing alliance between China and Russia, with both countries aligning their strategic goals amid the backdrop of a shifting global power dynamic.
