MOSCOW, May 5 (Alliance News): Chinese President Xi Jinping will make an official visit to Russia from May 7 to 10 to attend celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, the Kremlin announced on Sunday.
The Kremlin stated via Telegram that Xi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the “further development of the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation,” and both sides are expected to sign several bilateral agreements during the visit.
“During the talks, the main issues of further development of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, as well as current issues on the international and regional agenda will be discussed,” the statement read.
The Soviet Union, which suffered the loss of an estimated 27 million people during WWII, commemorates Victory Day on May 9 as a central national holiday. The anniversary holds great symbolic importance in Russian political and cultural identity.
Other international leaders, including the presidents of Brazil and Serbia and the prime minister of Slovakia, are also expected to attend the celebrations in Moscow.
In light of the event, President Putin proposed a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine to mark the anniversary. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded that a 30-day ceasefire would be more appropriate, which Putin has rejected, stating he seeks a long-term resolution rather than a temporary pause in hostilities.
Zelenskiy also warned that Ukraine could not ensure the safety of foreign dignitaries visiting Moscow during the ongoing conflict. He further criticized China in recent remarks, accusing Beijing of supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia.
Despite Western scrutiny, Russia and China continue to strengthen their alliance. In a documentary aired Sunday by state media outlet RIA, Putin described relations with China as “truly strategic in nature” and emphasized that the two nations’ interests “coincide.”
