Vladimir Putin In China: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a two-day state visit to China. A brigade of military police on motorcycles accompanied his motorcade into the city. The Russian President’s visit comes as a show of unity between the authoritarian allies as Moscow presses forward with a new offensive in Ukraine.
During his visit, Putin is set to hold meetings with his counterpart Xi Jinping, and other top officials are expected to lay emphasis on their commitment to the “no limits” relationship they signed in 2022, just before Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as reported by news agency AP.
In an interview to Chinese media on the eve of his visit, Putin said that the Kremlin is prepared to negotiate over the conflict in Ukraine. “We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours,” Putin was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua News Agency.
Open To A Dialogue On Ukraine: Putin
Putin’s two-day visit comes as Russia’s forces have pressed an offensive in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region that began last week. “We have never refused to negotiate,” Putin was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
“We are seeking a comprehensive, sustainable, and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours,” he said.
Putin and Xi are set to take part in a gala evening celebrating 75 years since the Soviet Union recognised the People's Republic of China, which was declared by Mao Zedong in 1949, Reuters reported. Xinhua confirmed his arrival for what China's state press has described as a state visit from an "old friend."