Vladimir Putin will travel to China this weekend for a pivotal visit to his most important ally, amidst critical talks about Ukraine. This visit, which could last up to a week—a rare duration for the Russian leader—will include attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, discussions with President Xi Jinping, and participation in Beijing’s Victory Day military parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II. The event will also feature notable guests such as Kim Jong-un of North Korea and leaders from Iran and Cuba.
Analysts highlight that key discussions will focus on aligning Putin and Xi’s stances regarding the Ukraine conflict in the face of U.S. efforts to end the fighting. Moscow is looking to gauge potential further support from Beijing and how China would react if pressured by the U.S. to influence Russia to cease hostilities.
China has emerged as a crucial economic partner for Russia during the Ukraine conflict, with bilateral trade reinforcing this alliance. Russia heavily relies on China for trade, which has surged to over $240 billion in the past year – a significant increase from pre-2022 levels. China is now Russia’s primary buyer of oil and coal and will soon be its main market for natural gas, surpassing Europe.
This dependency on China is poised to persist even if the conflict concludes, with Russia seeking assurance of continued energy exports. The trip is expected to address plans for expanding energy projects, such as the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline and increasing oil exports to China.
The visit will also likely cover deeper military cooperation between the two nations, a development that has concerns the West. Despite its claimed neutrality, China has been supplying Russia with essential components for its military, further strengthening the defense relationship.
Putin and Xi’s attendance at the military parade holds symbolic significance. It echoes the joint military parade in Moscow’s Red Square, where both countries celebrate their shared history and victory in World War II. This shared narrative underpins their strategic partnership and could help ease any strains in their relationship, particularly concerning Russia’s increasing ties with North Korea.
The U.S. will closely monitor the visit, particularly its implications regarding America’s policy of distancing Moscow from Beijing. However, most analysts predict a continued strengthening of relations between Russia and China, deeming it unlikely for either country to pivot away from their partnership.
Indeed, both nations currently feel empowered: China has avoided a trade war with the U.S. and imposed export restrictions impacting American manufacturing, while Russia has brushed off U.S. threats to halt the conflict.
Beijing’s stance on negotiations is cautious: it recognizes the difficulties in achieving peace in Ukraine but is content to maintain trade and diplomatic relations with Moscow, extracting favorable terms without actively pursuing a resolution. The trip is thus expected to underscore the deepening ties between two global powers looking to expand their influence in a multipolar world.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/30/vladimir-putin-china-visit-xi-jinping-ukraine
