Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that he will visit China in October at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, in his first visit to this country since the conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022.

Putin expressed his "delight" to accept this invitation during a meeting in Russia with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to pictures broadcasted on Russian television.

The Kremlin had previously announced Putin's intention to visit China to participate in the "Belt and Road" forum, which includes international leaders.
Russia, which was sanctioned by the Occident over its attack on Ukraine, seeks to strengthen economic, military, energy and other sectors relations with Beijing.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced earlier that Vladimir Putin "will receive today (Wednesday) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is visiting Russia" for talks in St. Petersburg.

On Monday, Wang met his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

At the conclusion of their meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry praised the “similar” positions with Beijing regarding the United States and the conflict in Ukraine.

Relations between Moscow and Beijing have strengthened in recent years, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which prompted Moscow to open up to Asia after the isolation imposed on it by the  Occident.

China and Russia are strategic allies that constantly describe their economic and military partnership and cooperation as “borderless.”

In August, Moscow and Beijing conducted joint naval exercises in the Pacific Ocean.
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, China is trying to present itself as a neutral country, despite its public support for the Kremlin.