Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Beijing next week for a two-day meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the Kremlin announced Saturday. The visit, set for May 19-20, comes less than 24 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his own state visit to China.
During the summit, Xi and Putin are expected to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation and key international and regional issues, according to the Kremlin. The trip marks the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship. Following the meetings, officials said a joint statement at the highest level along with several bilateral intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents are expected to be signed.
The timing of Putin’s visit places renewed focus on the deepening ties between Moscow and Beijing. Relations have grown closer since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, which left Moscow isolated from much of the West and reliant on China for trade amid sanctions.
Mr. Trump described his recent trip to China as successful, noting that Chinese officials had opened the door to new areas of cooperation with the United States. Warm words were exchanged between the leaders, yet concrete agreements have yet to materialize. Wendy Cutler, a former negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, told CBS News that “so far, it doesn’t seem like Trump and his team have a lot to show for the visit.”
Questions about U.S. aid to Taiwan remained unresolved after Trump’s departure. The president has not yet decided whether to proceed with a delayed $14 billion arms sale to the island that Congress approved in January. Leaders from both political parties have urged him to support the territory.
Putin last visited China in September 2025, when Xi welcomed him as an “old friend.” The Russian leader addressed Xi in similar terms, calling him “dear friend.” The upcoming May meetings will build on that personal rapport.
Putin is also scheduled to return to China later this year for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen in November. That gathering is expected to provide another platform for discussions on regional economic matters.
Experts note that the close coordination between Russia and China has become a defining feature of global diplomacy in recent years. Both nations have sought to counterbalance Western influence through expanded trade, joint military exercises and aligned positions on issues such as sanctions and territorial disputes.
Officials in Moscow and Beijing have emphasized that their partnership is not directed against any third country. Still, the timing of the Putin-Xi meeting so soon after Trump’s visit has drawn attention from analysts tracking great-power competition.
The Kremlin statement provided few additional details about the agenda beyond the broad topics already announced. Further information is expected in the days leading up to the May 19 arrival in Beijing.
Trade between Russia and China reached record levels last year, driven largely by energy exports from Moscow and technology and consumer goods from Beijing. The two sides are expected to explore ways to expand that cooperation during the upcoming talks.
Regional issues likely to feature in the discussions include developments on the Korean Peninsula, tensions in the South China Sea and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both leaders have previously expressed support for negotiated settlements in those areas.
As preparations for the summit continue, diplomats from both countries are working on the texts of the agreements that will be signed. The joint statement is expected to outline shared positions on a range of global challenges.
The visit underscores the personal relationship between Putin and Xi, who have met dozens of times since Xi took office in 2013. Their regular contact has helped maintain steady ties even as the international environment has grown more complex.