Russia’s Putin visits China days after historic Xi-Trump summit
While the Russian leader’s two-day visit is unlikely to feature the pomp of the US president’s trip, analysts say it could be heavier on substance.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin will arrive in Beijing on May 19, 2026, for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping just days after Xi wrapped up his closely watched summit with his American counterpart Donald Trump. Sources told the South China Morning Post the two-day trip was part of Moscow’s routine dealings with Beijing, and as such was expected to be lighter on ceremony than Trump’s visit, but produce more deliverables. SCMP China foreign policy reporter Dewey Sim says the proximity of their visits reflects Beijing’s effort to position itself as a pivotal power amid an increasingly fractured world order.