Putin will go to China after inauguration: whether the meeting with Xi Jinping with Ukraine is connected - the media

According to journalists, imports to Russia from China fell. Chinese banks also intensified restrictions on financing Russian clients through sanctions. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to visit China a few days after his regular inauguration. About it writes Bloomberg. According to journalists, the Kremlin head plans to emphasize the importance of relations between China and Russia. The publication writes that the visit is scheduled for May 15-16, but the date may change.

At the same time, Putin's trip will take place almost immediately after the head of the PRC, Xi Jinping, makes his trip to the European Union. The visit of the Chinese leader to European countries will be the first in five years. It is reported that Xi Jinping should visit France, Serbia and Hungary. It is expected that he will discuss the war in Ukraine. The material states that China has not openly supported the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine.

However, Moscow and Beijing managed to declare friendship "without restrictions". Relations with the PRC helped Russia withstand unprecedented sanctions imposed by the United States and their allies. According to journalists, thanks to sales of Russian oil and the purchase of electronics, industrial equipment and cars, Moscow's turnover with China in 2023 reached a record $ 240 billion.

However, according to the newspaper, according to information from Chinese customs, despite the growing economic ties, China's exports to Russia in March 2024 fell by almost 16% compared to the year earlier. The publication writes that Putin may raise the need to increase trade between the two countries during a meeting with SI. At the same time, state banks of China have increased restrictions on the financing of Russian clients after the United States sanctioned secondary sanctions.