Xi Jinping Visits Russia...To Hold Summit with Putin and Attend Victory Day Parade

Heading to Russia... Expected to Discuss U.S. Relations and More
First Meeting Since the Launch of the Second Trump Administration

Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed for a state visit to Russia. During this visit, President Xi is scheduled to hold a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the Victory Day military parade commemorating the end of World War II.

According to China Central Television (CCTV), President Xi left Beijing on the afternoon of May 7 aboard a private plane to begin his state visit to Russia. This visit comes at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Xi is scheduled to attend the Victory Day military parade on May 9 (local time), which marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. He will remain in Russia until May 10 and will hold a summit meeting with President Putin on May 8.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin are shaking hands during a meeting in Beijing, China, on October 18, 2023. Photo by Yonhap News

During the summit, the two leaders are expected to discuss issues related to Ukraine, U.S.-Russia relations, energy cooperation including the 'Power of Siberia 2' gas pipeline project, and other current affairs. After the talks, the two heads of state will issue a joint statement and hold a joint press conference. A closed-door one-on-one meeting is also scheduled.

This China-Russia summit will be the third meeting between the two leaders this year. Previously, they held a virtual meeting in January and a phone call in February. President Putin is expected to visit China at the end of August or early September.

This face-to-face summit between the Chinese and Russian leaders is the first since the inauguration of the second administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. In an article contributed to the Russian state media 'Rossiyskaya Gazeta,' President Xi emphasized that the two countries must "jointly uphold the international order established after World War II."