• The visit is being planned at a time when China has offered to mediate a settlement in Ukraine.
• Putin had asked Xi to come to Russia in the spring.
• Since taking office, Xi has personally encountered Putin 39 times.

Chinese President Xi Jinping may travel to Russia as early as next week to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, according to the sources.

The visit is being planned at a time when China has offered to mediate a settlement in Ukraine, a move that has been received with skepticism in the West due to China’s diplomatic support for Russia.

Putin had asked Xi to come to Russia in the spring, according to a January 30 report from the Russian news agency Tass. Last month, The Wall Street Journal claimed that a trip to Moscow might occur in April or early May.

A comment on whether or not Xi might visit Moscow was requested from the Kremlin, but the Chinese foreign minister did not provide one right away.

There were no additional details provided right away.

Given how sensitive the subject is, the sources who were briefed on it declined to disclose their names.

Putin hinted that Xi Jinping would visit Russia last month when he welcomed Wang Yi, China’s senior diplomat, to Moscow.

Weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, in February 2022, when Putin was in Beijing for the Winter Olympics, China and Russia forged a “no limits” alliance. Since then, the two nations have repeatedly reaffirmed the strength of their ties.

Since taking office, Xi has personally encountered Putin 39 times. Their most recent encounter took place in September during a summit in central Asia.

Xi completed the National People’s Congress’ yearly session on Monday, during which he was unanimously elected to a record-breaking third term as president.

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