He is scheduled to remain in Beijing May 19–20. Talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping are set for May 20, and the two leaders are expected to continue discussions informally "over tea" that evening. The Russian delegation includes five deputy prime ministers, eight ministers, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, and the heads of major state companies.
The Guardian reported this is Putin’s 25th visit to China and that he has met with Xi more than 40 times, far more than Xi has met with any Western leader. The newspaper said Putin is facing one of the most challenging periods of his time in power, noting that his image as a "strong leader" is eroding after Russia achieved only limited gains on the front in Ukraine this year. It added that mounting economic problems have increased Russia’s dependence on China, turning what the Kremlin presents as a partnership of equals into far more unequal relations.
The visit comes shortly after Xi’s summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the dates were agreed in February and that there is "no connection" between Putin’s visit and Trump’s trip to China.
Bloomberg reported that amid sanctions over the war in Ukraine, Russia is becoming increasingly dependent on trade with China, and that Moscow believes conflict in the Middle East and risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could push Beijing toward deeper cooperation with Russia on energy and logistics.
Sources close to the Russian government told Bloomberg the
Kremlin hopes instability in energy markets caused by the Middle East situation
will make Beijing more flexible on gas prices for the planned Power of
Siberia-2 pipeline. Russian officials say the Chinese side has shown interest
in accelerating talks, but there has been no concrete breakthrough.