China’s Xi Jinping readies for ‘mutual trust’ mission with Putin in Russia

China has confirmed that President Xi Jinping will visit Russia this week to mark the end of the second world war in Europe and to cement strategic ties in the face of “new circumstances”.

Xi’s visit, which starts on Wednesday and runs until Saturday, comes as China is seeking to rally support for its opposition to US tariffs but also as relations between Russia and the US appear to be thawing.

During the trip, Xi will attend a parade in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany and will meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for “strategic communications”, China’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.

“We believe the important common understandings between the two presidents will further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries and add new substance to strategic coordination,” the ministry said.

The Kremlin said the two leaders were expected to sign several bilateral documents during Xi’s visit.

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China rejects Nato claim of being ‘decisive enabler’ of Russia in Ukraine war

China rejects Nato claim of being ‘decisive enabler’ of Russia in Ukraine war

The Russian and Chinese leaders, who last met in person in October at the annual Brics summit in Kazan, held a call in February where Putin said that developing ties with China was “not an act of expediency” or influenced by external factors.