Putin, Xi to Sign 'Series' of Deals in Moscow Summit

Xi Jinping will join Vladimir Putin in Moscow for commemorations of the Allied victory against Nazi Germany, the Kremlin said.

The visit, due to take place from May 7 to 10, coincides with heightened tensions between China and the US over severe US trade tariffs and Putin’s order for a three-day truce in Ukraine.

Moscow and Beijing declared a “no limits partnership” weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The two countries have since expanded their trade and military ties in an alliance that has worried the West.

Putin’s office said the Chinese president would hold bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart on “developing partnerships and strategic ties” and on “issues on the international and regional agenda”.

“The governments and ministers ... are expected to sign a series of bilateral documents,” it added.

Putin has ordered a temporary halt in fighting in neighbouring Ukraine from May 8 to 10, a move that Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has dismissed as theatrics.

China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the three-year conflict, although Western governments say its close ties to Russia have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support.

In April, Mr Zelensky accused China of supplying arms to Russia, and alleged Beijing knew of at least 155 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces.

Beijing has called allegations of its involvement in the conflict “irresponsible remarks”.

On Sunday, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry emphasised the country’s historic and strategic ties with Russia at a time when “the international order is undergoing profound adjustments”.

“China and Russia will further strengthen close collaboration in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS countries,” Chinese state television CCTV quoted the spokesman as saying.

”[They will] unite the vast global South, lead global governance in the correct direction, firmly oppose unilateralism and bullying acts, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalisation.”

Donald Trump, the US president, has imposed tariffs of up to 145 per cent on many US imports from China. Beijing has responded with duties of 125 per cent on US goods.

Turning to the Second World War, the Chinese spokesman said: “As the two main battlefields of World War Two in Asia and Europe, China and Russia made tremendous sacrifices and great historical contributions to winning the world anti-fascist war.”

In addition to Xi, a score of other leaders are expected to attend a military parade at Red Square in Moscow on May 9, including Russia’s traditional allies.

The Kremlin has drawn parallels between its offensive against Ukraine and its Second World War fight against Nazi Germany.