Putin embarks on China visit with Ukraine war top of agenda

<p>Analysts say Putin and Xi will aim to align positions during Russian leader’s unusually long stay</p><p>Vladimir Putin will travel to China this weekend for what the Kremlin has called a “truly unprecedented” visit to his most important ally, which comes at a crunch moment in talks over Ukraine.</p><p>During the trip, which is expected to stretch to close to a week – unusually long for the Russian leader – he will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, hold talks with Xi Jinping, and take in Beijing’s Victory Day military <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/28/vladimir-putin-kim-jong-un-join-president-xi-chinese-military-parade-defiance-to-west">parade</a> marking 80 years since Japan’s defeat in the second world war, where Putin is due to be the star guest alongside North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and leaders of Iran and Cuba.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/30/vladimir-putin-china-visit-xi-jinping-ukraine">Continue reading...</a>