Putin, Xi to usher 'new era' in relations during Moscow visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are set to sign a new bilateral agreement ushering in a "new era" of ties in Moscow next week.

The Kremlin announced on Friday that Xi will arrive in the Russian capital city, Moscow, on Monday, for a 3-day visit and talks with his strategic ally.

Putin's top advisor Yuri Ushakov said the two leaders will sign an important declaration next week "on strengthening (the two countries') comprehensive partnership and strategic relations entering a new era."

The new agreements, according to Ushakov, will set the roadmap for Russian-Chinese cooperation until 2030.

He noted that there were about a dozen other accords in the pipeline.

The two leaders will both pen articles on bilateral ties that will be published on Monday in a Russian and Chinese newspaper, "an important signal on the eve of the actual talks", Ushakov said.

He added that Russia's military campaign in Ukraine will also be on the agenda.

"Of course, the Ukraine conflict will be discussed," Ushakov said. The Chinese head has a good "understanding of the true causes of this crisis."

Ushakov further pointed out that the Kremlin "highly valued" Beijing's "restrained and considered position" on world affairs.

He added that Moscow also welcomed Beijing's peace initiative on the Ukraine conflict.

In a 12-point peace plan published last month, China called for an immediate ceasefire, dialogue, and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty to replace the continuous fighting in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, in regard to Xi’s trip, the Chinese foreign ministry said the leaders of China and Russia would exchange their views on bilateral relations and discuss major international and regional issues during the visit.

Beijing aims to "practice true multilateralism... improve global governance and make contributions to the development and progress of the world," the foreign ministry said.

Wang Wenbin, China's foreign ministry spokesman described the president’s trip to Moscow essentially as "a visit for peace."

"The world has entered a new period of turmoil," he said, adding that "China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks."

The Chinese leader's visit to Russia comes just over a year after his Russian counterpart started a special military operation in Ukraine, which pitched the West against Russian troops on the international stage.

China and Russia have fostered strong economic, military, and political bonds, recently entering into a "no limits" partnership. China has become Russia's biggest ally and a major buyer of its crude oil, which the West banned over the Ukraine conflict.

MG