Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow for a four-day state visit, coinciding with a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes on the Russian capital. The visit, centred around Russia’s Victory Day celebrations commemorating the end of World War II, marks Xi’s 11th trip to Russia since taking office, more than to any other country.
Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, confirmed that at least 14 Ukrainian drones were intercepted by Russian air defence overnight, temporarily shutting down most of the city’s airports. Russia’s flagship airline, Aeroflot, announced major schedule changes in response to the disruption.
Xi Jinping’s visit comes at a politically charged moment
Xi’s visit comes at a politically charged moment, as tensions between China and the West, particularly the United States, intensify over trade and security. Meanwhile, Ukraine has recently accused China of aiding Russia’s war effort, including the presence of Chinese mercenaries in eastern Donetsk.
The Kremlin views Xi’s visit as a key event in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. The Chinese leader is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and attend the Victory Day military parade on Friday. For the first time since 2015, China’s People’s Liberation Army will send an honour guard to Moscow for the event, and for the first time, it will also participate in parallel celebrations in Minsk, Belarus.
Xi and Putin are expected to sign several cooperation agreements, including discussions on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would transport 50 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to China.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, trade between China and Russia has surged to record levels, reaching $245 billion in 2024, a 66% increase from 2021, providing Moscow with a crucial economic lifeline amid Western sanctions.
Despite its deepening ties with Russia, Beijing maintains that it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict and continues to call for a peaceful resolution. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised China for allegedly turning a blind eye to its nationals’ participation in the war and for tacitly supporting Russia’s military actions.
As Xi’s visit unfolds under the shadow of drone strikes and geopolitical strain, the world watches closely for what deeper Sino-Russian cooperation could mean for the global balance of power.
