Russian President Vladimir Putin to Visit China On May 16-17

• By Thetripurapost Web Desk, Kremlin
• May 14, 2024
• 70

Vladimir Putin is going to make his first foreign tour after taking oath as the President of Russia for the fifth time. 

According to the information given by the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin will visit China on 16-17 May. “Following the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin will visit China on May 16-17 as his first foreign visit after assuming office,” the Kremlin's official statement said.

Vladimir Putin's visit is taking place at a time when NATO countries are continuously exerting pressure to stop the Russian army in Ukraine. 

China has been supporting Russia in the Ukraine-Russia war since the beginning of the war. 

When Western countries are uniting to help Ukraine, it is believed that Russia is also busy building its strength.

According to the Kremlin's statement, the two leaders will discuss expanding the scope of Russia-China comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. 

Along with this, during this visit, a framework will be prepared for further practical cooperation between the two countries and there will be discussions to work together on international and regional issues. 

During this visit, it is expected that after the talks the President will hold a joint press conference and sign many bilateral agreements.

After the Ukraine war, trade between China and Russia has increased rapidly. After the sanctions imposed on Russia, China has bought gas and oil from Russia at cheap prices. 

According to China's customs figures, the trade between the two countries has reached 240 billion dollars in 2023.

"The Russians want China to do more to support them, which China is reluctant to do because it doesn't want to jeopardize its relations with the West," Alexander Gabuev, director of the Russia Eurasia Center, told AFP in an interview.

Experts are hopeful from this visit that after this China can come together with Russia more openly.