Their ties have deepened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Putin visiting Beijing every year since as his country is cut off diplomatically on the world stage.
However, their relationship is far from equal, with Moscow heavily dependent economically on Beijing, the main buyer of sanctioned Russian oil.
Among topics Xi and Putin could discuss is the construction of the major “Power of Siberia 2” natural gas pipeline from Russia to China through Mongolia – a land alternative to crude imported by sea from the Middle East – which Moscow is keen to get underway.
Setting a warm tone for the visit, Xi and Putin exchanged “congratulatory letters” to mark 30 years of their countries’ strategic partnership.
Xi welcomed Putin with open arms as an “old friend” when he last visited Beijing in September 2025 – language the Chinese leader did not extend to Trump last week.
Putin, who in turn called Xi his “dear friend”, will be keen to show the world that their relations are unaffected by Trump’s visit.
While Putin’s visit is not expected to receive the same pomp as Trump’s, “the Xi-Putin relationship does not require that kind of performative reassurance”, said Patricia Kim from the Brookings Institution in Washington.
Both sides view ties as “structurally stronger and more stable” than those between China and the United States, she said.
Beijing has regularly called for talks to end the war in Ukraine but has never condemned Russia for sending in troops, presenting itself instead as a neutral party.
Trump and Xi discussed Ukraine, but the US President left China without a breakthrough.
The lack of clear outcomes from the Xi-Trump meeting, though, “likely reassures Moscow that Xi did not strike any understanding with Trump that would materially undercut Russian interests”.
Putin will be hoping for China to deepen its commitment to Moscow, after Trump told Fox News during his visit that Beijing had agreed to buy US oil to feed its “insatiable” appetite for energy.
- AFP
