Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in a state visit to Russia on Monday, that is being watched closely around the world.
During the three-day visit, the leaders will discuss the deepening of economic and political cooperation as well as the war in Ukraine.
In articles released in Russian and Chinese media ahead of the visit, Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin praised their countries’ alliance, which has grown over the last decade.
Xi said relations have come a long way in the last 10 years and that “both countries … see our relationship as a high priority in our diplomacy.”
Putin said he considers President Xi a “good old friend” with whom he has developed the “warmest relations.”
Russia is viewed as the junior partner in the relationship with China and it’s uncertain how far Beijing’s friendship with Moscow could go, particularly after the West threatened to sanction China if it helps Russia militarily.
Putin made a surprise trip to the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol and the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
The trip angered the Ukrainian government, One official said Putin had come to visit the “ruins” of Mariupol and had shown no remorse for Russia’s bombardment of the city.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for more artillery ammunition “as fast as possible” during a European Union meeting on foreign affairs.
“More artillery ammunition for Ukraine as fast as possible,” he said.
