Putin Arrives in Beijing for Summit with Xi Jinping
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday evening for a two-day state visit, setting the stage for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping just four days after Donald Trump concluded his own summit in the Chinese capital. The extraordinary diplomatic sequence — hosting the leaders of the United States and Russia back to back within a single week — underscores Beijing’s emergence as a central node of global diplomacy, with the war in Ukraine expected to dominate discussions.
Context: A Rare Diplomatic Double
Putin’s visit, planned months in advance with the date agreed in early February, follows Trump’s state visit to China from May 13 to 15. Chinese state media outlet Global Times described Beijing as “fast emerging as the focal point of global diplomacy,” noting that it is “extremely rare in the post-cold war era for a country to host the leaders of the US and Russia back to back within a week,” as The Guardian reported.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that there was “no link between Trump’s and Putin’s visits,” adding that the agenda for talks with the Chinese is usually agreed well in advance, according to Euronews. Putin is scheduled to meet Xi on Wednesday morning, with the two leaders expected to discuss all areas of bilateral relations, including the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.
Xi’s Reported Comments on Ukraine
A significant diplomatic undercurrent to the summit is a report from the Financial Times, confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the US assessment, that Xi told Trump during their meeting that Putin “might come to regret” the invasion of Ukraine. The Australian Financial Review and The Independent both carried the report, which — if accurate — would represent a significant departure from China’s public stance of neutrality on the conflict.
China has consistently called for talks to end the war but has never condemned Russia’s invasion, presenting itself as a neutral party. Eurasia expert Ria Laenen told Belgian broadcaster VRT NWS that “China wants to show that it wants to convey messages between both leaders. China has always kept a low profile regarding the war in Ukraine, and that attitude will not change immediately.”
Russian Drone Strikes Chinese Ship on Eve of Visit
Adding an awkward dimension to the talks, a Russian drone struck a Chinese-owned cargo ship in the Black Sea off Odesa on Monday, just one day before Putin’s arrival. The vessel, the KSL Deyang, was sailing under the Marshall Islands flag with an all-Chinese crew. No crew members were injured, and the ship continued to its destination, according to Al Jazeera.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated: “The Russians could not have been unaware of what vessel was at sea.” Russia has not commented on the incident, which could feature in Xi-Putin discussions as a demonstration of the risks to Chinese interests from the ongoing conflict.
Energy and the Power of Siberia 2
A key agenda item is the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, a 50 billion cubic meters per year project critical for Russia to replace lost European gas markets. Negotiations have been protracted, with China seeking lower prices. Joseph Webster, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, noted that “Taiwan may be the subtext of the Xi-Putin meeting,” suggesting that expanding Russian oil pipeline capacity to China “would significantly enhance Beijing’s oil security in a Taiwan contingency.”
China’s energy security has become especially important amid disruptions to Strait of Hormuz shipping caused by the war in Iran. Beijing has bought more than $367 billion of Russian fossil fuels since the start of the Ukraine war, according to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, providing Moscow with crucial revenue as Western sanctions have cut Russia off from many markets.
A Delegation Underscoring Dependence
Putin’s delegation includes business representatives, five deputy prime ministers, eight ministers, several regional governors, and the head of Russia’s central bank — underscoring Moscow’s increasing economic dependence on China. Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Kremlin’s key negotiator with the US administration on Ukraine peace efforts, is also traveling to Beijing, as Euronews reported.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Russia-China strategic partnership. Xi and Putin exchanged “congratulatory letters” on Sunday ahead of the visit, with Xi stating that “bilateral cooperation between Russia and China has continuously deepened and solidified.”
Ukraine War Intensifies
The summit takes place against a backdrop of intense fighting. Russia and Ukraine have been exchanging massive drone barrages, including a Ukrainian attack of approximately 550 drones on Moscow on May 17 and Russian attacks on Kyiv that killed 24 people on May 14-15. A three-day US-brokered ceasefire from May 8 to 11 expired without progress toward broader peace talks.
What to Watch
Few analysts expect a major breakthrough on Ukraine from the summit. China’s position has remained consistent: calling for talks but not pressuring Russia. The war continues with escalating intensity, and both sides appear committed to military solutions. However, the reported comments from Xi to Trump, the awkward timing of the drone strike on the Chinese ship, and the high-stakes energy negotiations all ensure that this meeting will be closely watched for any signs of a shift in Beijing’s approach.
A joint statement and multiple bilateral agreements are expected following the talks, which may offer the clearest signal yet of where the world’s most consequential strategic partnership is headed.