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President Xi and Putin met just days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s official visit to China.
Published May 20, 2026
Chinese state media reported that talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin began in Beijing.
President Xi Jinping welcomed Putin by shaking hands with the Russian leader outside the Great Hall of the People ahead of the meeting, according to video released by Russian media.
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Before entering the convention hall, Putin and Xi walked down a red carpet and came out to greet the Russian leader, while a military band stood by and played two national anthems.
Katrina Yu, a reporter for Al Jazeera China, said that President Putin’s current visit and the recently concluded visit of U.S. President Donald Trump are very different. This is because President Putin is commemorating the 25th anniversary of China-Russia friendship, and President Putin has already visited China 25 times.
“So this visit will actually be about deepening existing coordination and cooperation,” Yu said.
“I expect both sides will update each other on the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine,” Yu said. “I have no doubt that President Xi Jinping will also talk to President Putin about what he discussed with President Donald Trump last week.”
Putin is accompanied by a large delegation of Russian businessmen and government leaders, Yu said, adding that the Kremlin announced that the two leaders will sign about 40 different agreements covering everything from the economy to tourism to education.
“But I think the main topic that President Putin will discuss with Xi Jinping will be energy security.” Yu said.
“After the war in Ukraine, all gas sales previously destined for Europe have dried up, and Russia desperately needs imports to replace them, especially as we enter the fifth year of the war in Ukraine,” she added.
This is a breaking news story. More content will be added soon.
