Xi Jinping's Strategic Visit to Russia Aims to Strengthen BRICS Ties

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit Russia next month for the BRICS summit, marking his second visit since the Ukraine conflict began. China maintains a neutral stance but supports Russia's claims against the West. Xi and Putin will discuss enhancing bilateral relations and their economic and military cooperation.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to visit Russia next month for a crucial summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed Thursday. This visit underscores the growing cooperation between Moscow and Beijing as they seek to counter the global influence of Western countries.

This will be Xi's second visit to Russia since the Kremlin's military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022. While maintaining a neutral stance, China has supported Russia's claims that its actions were provoked by Western policies and continues to supply essential components for Russian weapons production.

During a meeting in St. Petersburg, Wang Yi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed their countries' bilateral relations. Xi has "happily accepted" Putin's invitation to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, and the two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss the deepening ties between Russia and China. Despite Western sanctions, China's increased trade with Russia has helped mitigate economic pressures on Moscow.

(With inputs from agencies.)