Putin visits Beijing days after Trump to test China’s direction

Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday for a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, visiting an ally that barely had time to complete the formal preparations put in place for US President Donald Trump just days ago.

The summit, scheduled for May 19-20, is the second meeting of Chinese and Russian leaders in the past year, as Beijing seeks to manage relations with Washington and Moscow while establishing itself as a key power in global diplomacy. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 left Moscow effectively isolated and heavily dependent on Beijing for trade under Western sanctions.

“We have plenty serious expectations As for the visit, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday, describing the agenda as furthering the two countries’ “privileged and strategic partnership.”

The US has long pressured Beijing to reduce economic support for Moscow, which Western officials say helps maintain Russia’s military capability. NATO gives ‘A’ label to China “Decisive Supporter” In the Ukraine war, the supply of dual-use goods used by Chinese companies to replenish Russian munitions was cited.

Moscow has cut its growth forecast for this year to 0.4% from 1.3% as its economy remains in crisis. Ukrainian attacks On oil infrastructure and export terminals that underlines the uncertainty over the future of Russian war financing and the relaxation of US sanctions.

Dennis Wilder, a former US intelligence officer and Georgetown University professor, said Putin would seek assurances that any improvement in China’s relations with Washington would not change the “strategic triangle” that keeps China and Russia closer than the US.

Trump’s visit last week featured a lavish state banquet and yielded a number of deliverables, including $17 billion in annual agricultural purchases through 2028, a 200-aircraft Boeing order and a September meeting with the Chinese leader in Washington.

In contrast, Putin’s visit is expected to be more practical as part of regular dealings between the two countries, Tursa said. But the size and composition of the Russian delegation shows that Putin hopes to expand bilateral cooperation in many areas, he said.

Chinese state media embraced the option of back-to-back visits without regard. The Global Times described the index as evidence that Beijing is “rising rapidly.” focal point of global diplomacy,” noting that hosting the leaders of both the US and Russia within the same week was “extremely rare in the post-Cold War era.”

Washington is likely to keep a close eye on what unfolds.

“If Russia gets significant aid from China, the US will probably complain about it,” Kurt Tong, managing partner of The Asia Group, said on CNBC’s The China Connection on Monday.

Energy is expected to dominate the agenda. China has become Moscow’s biggest buyer of oil and gas, buying Russian supplies at deep discounts due to lower demand from Europe. This is the lowest since the mid-1970s.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has heightened energy security concerns across Asia, with Beijing having new incentive to block Russian supplies while Moscow needs the revenue to keep its economy afloat.

Putin Hinted last week That Russia is close to a “serious” gas and oil deal with China. “We are at a very advanced stage of agreement on taking a serious, very important step in the gas and oil sector,” Putin said during a press conference. “If it proves possible to finalize and finalize them during (the visit to China), I would be very happy,” he said.

Analysts say Chinese investment in Russia’s state sector is also expected to be on the table. bilateral trade has taken place reached record levels From 2022, absorbed by China more than a quarter of Russian exports.