Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday arrived in Beijing for the opening of the Winter Olympic Games and talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, as the two leaders look to project themselves as a counterweight to the U.S. and its allies.
The Russian leader’s visit comes amid growing Chinese support for Moscow in its dispute with Ukraine that threatens to break out into armed conflict.
Putin’s presence makes him the highest-profile guest at the event following the decision by the U.S., Britain, and others not to send officials in protest over China’s human rights abuses and its treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.
Putin’s arrival from Moscow early Friday afternoon was confirmed by Russian state news agency RIA. The two leaders are due to hold talks then have a private lunch together.
The discussions mark their first in-person meeting since 2019 and come as China and Russia increasingly align their foreign policies bilaterally and in world bodies such as the United Nations, in opposition to the United States-led bloc.
Leaders of the five ex-Soviet Central Asian nations, which have close ties with both Russia and China, all followed Putin’s lead and are attending, along with other states that have political and economic interests with Beijing.
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