Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in Beijing for talks with China's Xi Jinping

The visit comes days after Xi hosted President Donald Trump.

May 19, 2026, 12:17 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday ahead of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Putin was welcomed by Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, upon landing late Tuesday local time at an airport in Beijing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is escorted by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi as he arrives in Beijing, May 19, 2026.
Vladimir Smirnov/Sputnik via AP

On Wednesday, talks between Putin and Xi are set to occur at the Grand Hall of the People, followed by a formal reception, according to the Kremlin.

The two leaders "will discuss China-Russia relations, cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues of mutual interest," the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin is welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi upon his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing, May 19, 2026.
Vladimir Smirnov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Participants wave flags during a ceremony to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin at an airport in Beijing, China, May 19, 2026.
Vladimir Smirnov/Sputnik via Reuters

The state visit marks Putin's 25th trip to China, according to the spokesperson.

The visit comes after last week's high-stakes, multi-day summit between Xi and President Donald Trump in Beijing.

The two discussed the U.S. war in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, fentanyl and increasing Chinese purchases of American farm products, according to a White House official.

Xi also warned that if the issue of Taiwan is handled "improperly," the two nations could "come into conflict," according to China's official state broadcaster Xinhua.

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