The Kremlin stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will sign a proclamation as Russia-China relations enter “a new era” hours after China’s foreign ministry confirmed that Xi Jinping will make a three-day state visit to Russia. With President Putin’s invitation, Xi Jinping will fly to Russia on Monday to start his trip there.
The Ukraine conflict and strategies to strengthen bilateral ties are topics that the two leaders are anticipated to discuss. On the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, China proposed a 12-point plan in February that called for a full cease-fire in Ukraine. The two leaders will have a casual lunch together on Monday and hold formal talks on Tuesday, according to the Kremlin.
“Contacts between the president and (Xi) will begin on March 20 in the afternoon. It will be a face-to-face conversation. There will be an informal lunch. And 21 March will be the day of negotiations,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
What to expect from Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia?
According to the Kremlin, the talks would include a discussion of “current issues of further development of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China.”.”
Also, the parties intend to discuss how to further their collaboration between China and Russia internationally. The signing of several significant bilateral documents is anticipated between the two parties.
Putin signals Xi’s visit, the U.S. is concerned about China-Russian relations
The U.S. State Department expressed alarm on Wednesday about China and Russia’s growing alignment after Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed “new frontiers” in relations with Beijing and hinted that Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to his nation.
Ned Price, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, claimed that Wang’s trip to Russia on the day of the war’s first anniversary was another proof of Beijing’s support for Moscow.
“We are concerned because these two countries share a vision,” Price told a press briefing. “It is a vision … of an era in which big countries could bully small countries, borders could be redrawn by force, an era in which might make right,” he said.
“We have not yet seen the PRC provide Russia with lethal aid, but we don’t believe they’ve taken it off the table either,” Price added.