Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to embark on a four-day state visit to China next week, where he will hold high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the two nations continue to strengthen their strategic partnership.
The visit, scheduled to coincide with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit on August 31–September 1, will also align with major commemorative events in Beijing, including a military parade on September 2 marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender and the conclusion of World War II in Asia.
Putin will be accompanied by a large delegation of senior Russian officials and ministers who are expected to engage in extensive discussions with their Chinese counterparts. These talks are anticipated to focus on deepening economic cooperation, enhancing energy and infrastructure ties, and coordinating positions on key global security and trade issues.
This marks a reciprocal visit following Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow in May, where he attended Russia’s Victory Day parades commemorating the end of World War II in Europe. Both visits reflect the growing alignment between Moscow and Beijing at a time of heightened global instability and shifting geopolitical structures, as the world moves further away from the U.S.-dominated post-Cold War order.
The timing of the summit has fueled speculation about the potential for trilateral diplomacy involving the United States. Earlier reports suggested U.S. President Donald Trump might travel to Beijing for the VJ Day parade to engage in a three-way dialogue with Putin and Xi. However, after Putin’s recent summit with Trump in Alaska and given ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade disputes, it remains unclear whether such a meeting will take place.
The SCO summit is also set to bring together other influential leaders, including Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, who has recently signaled Tehran’s belief that another war with Israel may be imminent, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has faced recent U.S. tariff measures. Their presence underscores the shifting alliances and emerging fault lines in global politics as Russia and China present themselves as central players in an evolving multipolar world.