Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Russia after Putin's invitation; leaders to hold 'crucial' talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Russia on Monday to hold crucial talks with his counterpart Vladimir Putin, the foreign ministry announced on Friday, amid reports that Beijing plans to initiate peace talks to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying in a brief announcement said, "at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from March 20 to 22”. No other details were given.

This will be Xi’s first overseas trip after getting endorsed for an unprecedented third five-year term as the President and head of the military early this month by the National People’s Congress (NPC).

According to a Kremlin statement, the two leaders will discuss "pressing issues related to the future of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China."

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