MOSCOW: Chinese President, Xi Jinping, will pay an official state visit to Russia next week from 20-22 March 2023, the Kremlin and Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday, 17 March.

This will be the Chinese President’s first visit to Moscow since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The statement released by the Kremlin details that Xi and Putin are expected to discuss "aspects of further development of comprehensive partnership”, along with matters related to global affairs and further cooperation between Russia and China. A number of important bilateral documents are also expected to be signed.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also affirmed that the two leaders will exchange opinions on major international and regional issues.

Xi last visited Russia in 2019, while Putin also attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing last year. The two leaders also met at a regional security gathering in Uzbekistan in September.

Putin had invited Xi to Russia during a phone call in late December, however, the date of the trip was not previously announced.

Xi’s visit now comes as China offers to broker peace in Ukraine, an effort that has been met with skepticism in the West, given Beijing's diplomatic support for Russia.

Spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Wenbin, said during a regular news briefing on Friday that this visit will be a trip of friendship, cooperation and peace, and is intended to further deepen bilateral trust between Russia and China.