Putin Announces Plans to Visit China in May, Deepening Ties Amid Western Sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to visit China in May, according to the Interfax news agency. The visit, which could be Putin's first foreign trip since his re-election in March 2024, is part of Moscow's efforts to strengthen ties with Beijing as the West has viewed Russia and China with increased anxiety over their growing military cooperation and global influence.

Putin made the announcement at a congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs on April 25th. He stated that he plans to visit China in May and will take a book to deliver to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whom he referred to as "our friend." "I plan to visit China in May and will take a book to deliver to our friend, the Chairman of the People's Republic of China," Putin said, according to Interfax.

Why this matters: Putin's visit to China emphasizes the strengthening partnership between the two countries as Russia seeks to counter its isolation on the global stage due to Western sanctions over its military offensive in Ukraine. The trip highlights Russia's growing reliance on China amid its economic and diplomatic isolation.

China has emerged as a crucial economic lifeline for Russia since the West imposed unprecedented sanctions over Moscow's military offensive in Ukraine. The two countries have boosted trade to record highs, with China benefiting from cheap Russian energy imports and access to natural resources. However, their close economic partnership has come under scrutiny in the West, which has threatened to sanction overseas banks and companies working with Russia.

Putin's announcement came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing, as both Russia and China have been critical of the United States. China has refused to condemn Russia's Ukraine offensive and has offered itself as a potential mediator between the two sides. China has also maintained robust economic ties with Russia and proposed a peace plan that was largely dismissed by Ukraine's allies.

Putin last visited China in October 2022. In February 2022, Putin signed a "no limits" partnership agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping, just weeks before sending troops into Ukraine. Diplomatic and trade ties with Beijing have become increasingly important for Moscow as Western countries have imposed successive waves of sanctions since the start of the war in Ukraine.

The upcoming visit is seen as an attempt by Russia to signal that it has China's backing and is not isolated, despite facing Western sanctions over its military offensive in Ukraine. As Russia battles Western sanctions and braces for a protracted war in Ukraine, the timing of the visit is likely driven by Russia's need for China's support. However, experts suggest that China is unlikely to use the summit to gain significant leverage against the West in its negotiations.

Key Takeaways

• Putin plans to visit China in May, his first foreign trip since re-election.
• The visit aims to strengthen Russia-China ties amid Western sanctions over Ukraine.
• China has become a crucial economic lifeline for Russia due to Western sanctions.
• The visit signals Russia's reliance on China as it faces isolation from the West.
• China is unlikely to use the summit to gain significant leverage against the West.