Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing at a time when the fighting in Ukraine is escalating and the Gaza Strip crisis is becoming more difficult.

The Russian President will be among the most prominent guests at the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Xi's announcement of the Belt and Road Initiative, which has burdened countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka with debt after they signed contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports and other public infrastructure, which they cannot afford. The former Soviet Union were Cold War rivals for influence between left-leaning countries, but have since forged a partnership in the economic, military and diplomatic spheres.

Just weeks before the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Putin met with Xi Jinping in Beijing, and the two sides signed an agreement pledging a “borderless” relationship.

Beijing's attempts to present itself as a neutral peace broker in the Ukraine war have been widely rejected by the international community. Xi visited Moscow in March as part of a wave of visits between the two countries.

China condemned the international sanctions imposed on Russia, but did not directly address the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Putin for alleged involvement in the kidnapping of thousands of children from Ukraine.