Xi Jinping to Visit Russia Amid Victory Day Celebrations and Deepening Strategic Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping will make an official visit to Russia from May 7 to 10, the Kremlin confirmed on Sunday, marking yet another show of strengthening ties between Moscow and Beijing amid global tensions.

Xi is expected to join Russian President Vladimir Putin at the annual Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The visit underscores the growing partnership between the two leaders, who are also set to sign a series of bilateral agreements and hold talks on expanding their strategic cooperation.

Strengthening Strategic Ties

According to the Kremlin, the two heads of state will focus on enhancing their “comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction,” along with discussions on pressing international and regional issues.

This will be Xi’s third visit to Russia since the onset of the Ukraine war in February 2022. While China claims to remain neutral in the conflict, it has echoed Moscow’s claims that Western powers provoked the war. Beijing has also continued to supply critical components needed for Russia’s weapons production, drawing international scrutiny.

A Pattern of Partnership

Xi last visited Russia in September 2024 for a BRICS summit and earlier made a state visit in March 2023. Putin returned the gesture with his own trip to China in October. The two leaders have since met multiple times, most recently in Beijing in May 2024 and in Kazakhstan in July, showcasing their ongoing diplomatic alignment.

Since launching what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine, Russia has become increasingly reliant on China economically. As Western sanctions have isolated Moscow from much of the global market, China has stepped in as a vital trade partner. Russia now exports much of its energy to China and depends heavily on Chinese companies to supply high-tech components for its military industry.

Tensions Around Victory Day

The timing of Xi’s visit adds another layer of complexity, as security concerns loom over the Victory Day celebrations. On Saturday, Russia accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of threatening the safety of foreign dignitaries attending the event after he rejected a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire proposed by Moscow.

Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of visiting officials, cautioning that Russia might stage provocations and attempt to blame Kyiv.