Russian president confirms visit to Beijing to meet Leader Xi next month

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from Chinese Leader Xi Jinping to attend a "Belt and Road" summit in China in October, which would make it Putin's first known trip abroad ever since an arrest warrant was issued against him for the deportation of children from Ukraine.

The Russian president's recent meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his efforts to strengthen ties with allies as he faces international isolation due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as reported by the Independent.

Putin stated that Russia and China are working to integrate their ideas for creating a large Eurasian space, with the Chinese-led Belt and Road initiative being part of this vision. He expressed his intention to visit Beijing after a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was in Moscow for a strategic diplomatic visit. According to the Kremlin, Putin affirmed that the Belt and Road strategy aligns with Russia's interests.