Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to embark on his first foreign trip since his re-election for a fifth term, with a visit to China scheduled for later this week. This marks Putin's second visit to China in just six months, underscoring the strengthening ties between Moscow and Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying confirmed Putin's visit, which is slated to take place from Thursday to Friday. The trip follows an invitation extended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting the significance of the bilateral relationship between Russia and China.

During his visit, Putin is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with President Xi to discuss various aspects of cooperation between the two nations, as well as address common international and regional challenges. Details of the agenda have yet to be disclosed by either party.

The upcoming meeting between the two leaders comes against the backdrop of an 'unlimited' partnership announced between Russia and China shortly before Russia's military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, bilateral trade between the two countries has surged to record levels.

For Russia, China has emerged as a crucial economic ally amidst unprecedented sanctions imposed by Western nations in response to Moscow's military actions in Ukraine. The deepening economic and strategic partnership between Russia and China underscores the shifting geopolitical dynamics in Eurasia.

As Putin embarks on his visit to China, both nations are expected to reaffirm their commitment to further strengthening cooperation across various sectors, cementing their status as key players on the global stage.

Putin's visit to China signifies the deepening ties between Russia and China, with both nations seeking to bolster their partnership amidst evolving geopolitical challenges. As they navigate shared interests and common concerns, the meeting between Putin and Xi is poised to shape the trajectory of their bilateral relations and exert influence on the broader international landscape.