Putin expected in China after Trump’s high-profile Beijing trip

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to Beijing next week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to reports from regional media outlets. The visit, which has not yet been officially confirmed by either government, is expected to take place on May 20 and comes only days after Donald Trump completed his visit to China.China intensifies diplomatic engagement

The reported trip would place China at the center of back-to-back meetings involving the leaders of the United States and Russia, underlining Beijing’s expanding diplomatic role in global affairs. Sources cited by the South China Morning Post said Putin’s visit is expected to last one day and will likely focus on strategic coordination between Moscow and Beijing rather than ceremonial events.

Trump ended a three-day visit to China on Friday, during which he held discussions with Xi on trade relations, Taiwan, regional conflicts and broader international issues.

Kremlin signals preparations are complete

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed this week that preparations for Putin’s China visit were nearly finalized. “This visit is being prepared,” Peskov said, adding that official details would be announced soon.

Peskov also dismissed suggestions that potential Russia-China talks were linked directly to Trump’s trip, saying Moscow maintains regular high-level communication with Beijing regardless of developments involving Washington.

Beijing and Moscow maintain close coordination

China’s Foreign Ministry said officials from both countries remain in close contact regarding arrangements for a future meeting between Xi and Putin. Additional information about the visit is expected to be released in the coming days.

If the trip moves forward, China will have hosted the leaders of all four other permanent members of the UN Security Council within a relatively short period. French President Emmanuel Macron visited Beijing in December, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to China earlier this year.

The diplomatic activity reflects China’s efforts to position itself as a central actor in global politics at a time of rising competition among major powers and continuing tensions over trade, security and regional conflicts.