Meeting with Putin “very important”
Xi arrived in Moscow for talks
03/20/2023, 12:15 p.m
It is the first meeting in four years: Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow for a state visit. In view of the Ukraine war, the Kremlin is dependent on new partnerships. President Putin also wants to explain “Russia’s perspective on the conflict”.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow for a three-day state visit to Russia. The state news agency Ria Novosti circulated images of his plane after landing at Moscow’s Vnukovo government airport. A red carpet was rolled out in front of the machine for the state guest.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the meeting between Putin and Xi “very important” and announced the start at around 4:30 p.m. Moscow time (2:30 p.m. CET). An official welcoming ceremony, a two-way talk, a conversation in the presence of Russian and Chinese delegations and a joint dinner are planned, he said, according to the Interfax agency.
During the state visit, Xi and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin want to herald a “new era” in bilateral relations, according to Russian sources. According to the Kremlin, the signing of a joint declaration is planned. The Chinese Foreign Ministry described Xi’s trip as a “visit for peace”. Xi and Putin would exchange views on bilateral relations and important international and regional issues.
“Of course Ukraine will be on the agenda,” Peskov added. “Of course, President Putin will provide detailed explanations so that Xi can get the current view of the Russian side firsthand.”