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Putin says Russia-China ties at unprecedented level, invites Xi to Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool
Russian President Vladimir Putin walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool Reuters

Ties between Russia and China are at an unprecedented level, President Vladimir Putin told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, and invited him to visit Russia next year.

(Reporting by Jekaterīna Golubkova in Tokyo; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Police officers stand guard as Russia’s and China’s national flags fly in the Tiananmen Square, ahead of Russia's President Vladimir Putin visit to China, in Beijing, China, May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Police officers stand guard as Russia’s and China’s national flags fly in the Tiananmen Square, ahead of Russia's President Vladimir Putin visit to China, in Beijing, China, May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov Maxim Shemetov Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 8:54 PM.

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