What to Expect from Putin's Upcoming Meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing?

Putin's Visit to China: A Strategic Meeting

Moscow: The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Beijing for a two-day meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.

This announcement follows closely on the heels of US President Donald Trump's recent state visit to China, where he engaged in discussions with Xi regarding trade and the ongoing US-Israel conflict in Iran.

According to the Kremlin, Putin's trip is scheduled for May 19-20 and coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship established in 2001.

The agenda for the meeting will include discussions on bilateral relations, significant international and regional matters, as well as economic collaboration.

In recent years, the partnership between China and Russia has strengthened, particularly after Russia's extensive invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, which led to Moscow facing international isolation and increased dependence on Beijing for trade due to Western sanctions.

During Putin's previous visit to China in September 2025, Xi referred to him as an old friend, while Putin reciprocated by calling Xi a dear friend.

Additionally, Putin is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November.

Ongoing Conflict: Ukraine and Russia Exchange Casualties

Continued strikes and returned remains

On Saturday, Ukraine successfully repatriated the remains of its fallen soldiers following a prisoner exchange with Russia.

Russia returned 528 bodies, which they claim may belong to Ukrainian servicemen, as stated by Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Experts will now undertake the necessary steps to identify the repatriated deceased.

This exchange follows a previous swap of 205 prisoners of war on Friday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that this was just the first phase of a larger plan to exchange 1,000 POWs from each side, with some Ukrainians having been held by Russia since 2022 and involved in some of the conflict's most intense battles.

In the meantime, Russia conducted drone strikes in Ukraine's southern Odesa region overnight, according to local authorities.

These drone attacks targeted a five-story apartment building and a one-story residential structure, resulting in injuries to two individuals, as reported by regional head Oleh Kiper. The port area of the city also sustained damage.

Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia launched 294 drones overnight, with 269 of them being intercepted.

Conversely, Russia's Ministry of Defence claimed that its forces shot down 138 Ukrainian drones across 14 Russian regions, including Moscow, and also over the annexed Crimean peninsula, as well as the Black and Azov seas.