Russian President Vladimir Putin said he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will discuss the war in Ukraine in informal talks later Thursday evening.
The talks are expected to include Russia’s newly appointed Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and his predecessor Sergei Shoigu, now secretary of Russia’s Security Council.
Putin replaced close ally Shoigu as defense minister with Belousov in a major reshuffle of military leadership earlier this week.
The shake-up comes off the back of significant advances by Russian troops in Ukraine’s east. With defense spending soaring, Belousov’s appointment suggests Russia’s strategy will continue to focus on outgunning Ukraine.
Russia and China pledge to deepen partnership
From CNN’s Simone McCarthy
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have pledged to deepen their partnership in Beijing in a stark show of their growing alignment as Russian troops advance in Ukraine.
Xi hailed the two countries’ deepening ties, which were formalized in a joint statement inked by the leaders in a ceremony Thursday, saying they would “inject strong momentum” in the development of their relations.
Putin – whose delegation includes top defense and security officials – was welcomed by Xi to Beijing’s Great Hall of the People earlier with full military pageantry, heralding the start of his for the start of his two-day state visit.
China is Russia’s main trading partner, and international sanctions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine have driven the two economies closer.
In meetings with Putin, Xi proclaimed that China-Russian relations have “stood the test of a changing international landscape” and “have been moving forward steadily with enhanced comprehensive strategic coordination,” according to a readout from China’s Foreign Ministry.
“This has made positive contributions to maintaining global strategic stability and promoting greater democracy in international relations,” it said.