Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart and "long-time good friend" Xi Jinping, days after a visit by US President Donald Trump.
The confirmation of Putin's trip came just hours after Trump wrapped up his visit on Friday, the first to China by a US president in nearly a decade and one aimed at stabilising their turbulent relations.
Putin arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport around 1515 GMT on Tuesday, where he was greeted by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and a military band.
It was a near-mirror image of Trump's arrival days earlier, with both leaders stepping out of their planes onto a red carpet as Chinese youths chanted "Welcome, welcome" this time, waving Russian flags instead.
Putin and Xi are set to discuss how to strengthen Russia and China's strategic partnership and "exchange views on key international and regional issues", according to a Kremlin statement.
Their ties have deepened since the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, with Putin visiting Beijing every year since then.
‘Congratulatory letters’
Among topics Xi and Putin could discuss is the construction of the major "Power of Siberia 2" natural gas pipeline from Russia to China through Mongolia, a land alternative to crude imported by sea from the Middle East, which Moscow is keen to get underway.
Setting a warm tone for the visit, Xi and Putin exchanged "congratulatory letters" on Sunday to mark 30 years of their countries' strategic partnership.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun lauded "the enduring friendship between China and Russia" on Tuesday.
And in a video message to the Chinese people released on Tuesday, Putin said relations have reached "a truly unprecedented level" and that "trade between Russia and China continues to grow".
"The close strategic relationship between Russia and China plays a major, stabilising role globally. Without allying against anyone, we seek peace and universal prosperity," Putin said, without mentioning any third country.
The two leaders are also expected to sign a joint declaration after their talks.
Xi welcomed Putin with open arms as an "old friend" when he last visited Beijing in September 2025.
‘Dear friend’
Putin, who in turn called Xi his "dear friend", will be keen to show the world that their relations are unaffected by Trump's visit.
Both sides view ties as "structurally stronger and more stable" than those between China and the United States, she said.
Beijing has regularly called for talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump and Xi discussed Ukraine last week, but the US president left China without a breakthrough.
"Xi will almost certainly brief Putin on his summit with Trump," Kim said.
The lack of clear outcomes from the Xi-Trump meeting, though, "likely reassures Moscow that Xi did not strike any understanding with Trump that would materially undercut Russian interests".
Putin will be hoping for China to deepen its commitment to Moscow after Trump told Fox News during his visit that Beijing had agreed to buy US oil to feed its "insatiable" appetite for energy.
"Putin will likely be keen to hear from Xi about China's next step in the Middle East," Morris said after "Trump signalled clearly that he hopes Beijing will play a leading role."
