‘Russia Remains Reliable Energy Supplier Amid West Asia Crisis’: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping Hold Talks In Beijing

Last Updated:May 20, 2026, 09:55 IST

Vladimir Putin’s visit comes at a time when trade between China and Russia is recovering after a decline last year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in Beijing on Wednesday, with discussions focusing on both international and bilateral issues.

According Al Jazeera, Xi said both nations should support each other’s development and work towards a fairer global governance system. Putin said Russia-China relations were helping global stability and stressed that Moscow remained a reliable energy supplier amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

The summit comes shortly after US President Donald Trump visited the Chinese capital, placing additional global attention on the meeting between the Chinese and Russian leaders.

The optics and outcomes of the summit are expected to be closely watched and compared with Trump’s recent Beijing visit.

Tea meeting between ‘old friends’

Xi Jinping is known for hosting visiting leaders over tea, and the style and setting of such meetings are often viewed as a sign of his regard for the guest.

When Xi hosted Putin in May 2024, the two leaders removed their ties and spoke outdoors over tea in Zhongnanhai, a former imperial garden that now serves as the headquarters of China’s ruling Communist Party and government.

By comparison, Trump’s recent walk through a secret garden with Xi, followed by tea and a tour of the Temple of Heaven, appeared more carefully choreographed.

Graeme Smith, a senior fellow at the Australian National University’s Pacific Affairs department, said Beijing was benefiting from being at the centre of world attention.

“Beijing is loving the optics of this," Smith said, adding that Xi appeared to be benefiting politically from both Trump’s preference for grand displays and Putin’s public camaraderie with the Chinese leader.

China projects global influence

Chinese state media has highlighted the back-to-back visits by the leaders of two major powers that are deeply divided politically, militarily and economically.

The visits have been projected as recognition of China’s growing global standing during a period of increasing geopolitical fragmentation.

Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday evening and was welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The reception included an honour guard and Chinese youths waving the national flags of China and Russia.

Trade and energy talks

Putin’s visit comes at a time when trade between China and Russia is recovering after a decline last year.

Two-way trade rose 16.1 per cent during the first four months of this year compared with the same period in 2025.

Trade between the two countries reached 1.63 trillion yuan, or about 240 billion dollars, in 2025. However, this marked a 6.5 per cent drop from the record level reached in 2024 and the first decline in five years.

Putin has acknowledged the need to reverse the slowdown in trade, underlining China’s importance for Russia as Western sanctions linked to the Ukraine war continue to affect Moscow’s economy.

The Russian leader has travelled with a large delegation that includes deputy prime ministers, ministers and heads of major state corporations and banks.

Dozens of agreements expected

The Kremlin has said it has “serious expectations" from Putin’s visit.

Apart from formal talks, the programme includes a signing ceremony, a banquet and an informal tea meeting where the two leaders are expected to discuss major international issues.

According to the Kremlin, around 40 documents are expected to be signed.

A 47-page joint statement on strengthening bilateral ties is also expected to be issued.

Putin and Xi are additionally expected to adopt a declaration supporting a multipolar world order and what the Kremlin described as a “new type of international relations".

Industry experts said negotiations over the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would connect Russia to northern China, are also likely to be discussed.

The proposed pipeline has gained importance as the China-Russia “no limits" partnership has strengthened since Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine war.

News world ‘Russia Remains Reliable Energy Supplier Amid West Asia Crisis’: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping Hold Talks In Beijing

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