Xi and Putin Meet in Beijing to Strengthen Strategic Ties

May 19, 2026

71 min

May 19, 2026 06:31

Xi hosts Putin in Beijing days after Trump: what to know

## Putin's Visit to China

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Beijing for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This marks Putin's 25th trip to China, highlighting the strong ties between the two nations. The meeting aims to deepen their strategic partnership, which spans from Scandinavia to Southeast Asia.

## Economic and Strategic Interests

The relationship between China and Russia is characterized by China's economic power and Russia's oil production. Trade between the two countries has increased significantly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. China imports a large portion of its mineral fuel from Russia, while Russia relies heavily on China for its imports and exports.

## Timing of the Visit

Putin's visit comes shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump's trip to Beijing. The timing of these visits is seen as significant, allowing Xi to potentially brief Putin on discussions with Trump.

## Ukraine and Other Global Issues

While the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is a concern for both leaders, China has maintained a neutral stance, calling for dialogue but not condemning Russia's actions. The two leaders are expected to discuss various international and regional issues during their meeting.

## Energy Cooperation

China is a major buyer of Russian fossil fuels, and discussions are ongoing about a new natural gas pipeline from Russia to China through Mongolia. This project is crucial for Russia, especially given Western sanctions on its oil and gas sectors.

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