The visit also comes less than a week after US President Donald Trump completed his own state visit to China, placing additional attention on Beijing’s global diplomatic positioning.

Putin’s 2024 state visit to China

One of the most significant recent meetings between the two leaders took place in May 2024, when Putin travelled to Beijing for his first foreign trip after re-election.

Xi welcomed Putin with a formal state ceremony featuring military honours, red carpet events, marching troops, and performances by a Chinese military band. The two leaders later launched the “Years of Russian-Chinese Culture” programme, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During the visit, Xi described the relationship as strategically important for both nations. Putin also praised the state of relations between Moscow and Beijing.

In a lighter moment during the event, Putin joked that he felt comfortable enough in China to forget interpreters were needed.

“I feel at home here, so I thought everyone here already speaks Russian,” he said.

Xi responded by welcoming Putin’s decision to make China his first overseas destination after beginning his new presidential term.

Moscow Victory Day celebrations in 2025

The two leaders met again in Moscow in May 2025 during Russia’s Victory Day commemorations, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.

Footage from the Kremlin showed Putin and Xi holding bilateral talks, overseeing document signing ceremonies, and attending military parades together on Red Square.

Speaking during the Moscow meetings, Putin described Russia-China relations as a stabilising force in global affairs.

Xi highlighted the importance of Russia in China’s foreign relations.

The leaders were later seen together during the Victory Day parade as Chinese troops marched through Red Square.

Beijing Victory Day events in 2025

In September 2025, Putin returned to Beijing for China’s Victory Day commemorations, where he again appeared alongside Xi during major military ceremonies and public events.

Footage from Tiananmen Square showed the two leaders attending parades, concerts, and official receptions together. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was also present at some of the events.

This year marks the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. Russia and several other former Soviet states mark Victory Day on May 9, while many Western countries observe Victory in Europe Day on May 8 because of the time difference when Germany’s surrender took effect.

The parade was held under tight security and was significantly scaled down, with heavy military hardware absent for the first time in nearly two decades. Russian officials cited security concerns linked to possible Ukrainian attacks.

The event came as Russia and Ukraine began a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to 11, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump . The deal also includes a planned prisoner exchange of 1,000 people from each side.

Military formations responded by shouting “Hurrah!” as artillery cannons fired salvos across the square.

The ceremony included performances by military bands, the singing of the Russian national anthem, and appearances by senior officials and invited guests. Spectators and military personnel stood during the anthem as cannons continued firing in the background.

Footage from the parade showed Russian flags, marching formations, military musicians, and dignitaries observing the event from viewing stands.

Victory Day is observed annually in Russia on May 9 to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.