Putin to visit China, preparations complete

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China soon, the Kremlin said on Thursday (May 14) local time, adding that preparations for the visit have already been completed.

Although the exact date of Putin's visit has not yet been announced, it is expected that the visit will include discussions on Russia-China relations and various international issues between the two countries.

Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have developed a close relationship in recent years. The two leaders have met more than 40 times, most recently in Beijing in September last year. The two countries signed a "boundless strategic partnership" agreement in February 2022, just weeks before Russia's military campaign in Ukraine began. Since then, analysts say relations between Moscow and Beijing have grown closer, despite Western pressure.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is currently on a visit to China. As a result, the diplomatic activities of Washington, Moscow and Beijing at the same time have created new discussions in international politics.