THE Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed today the belief that his visit to Russia will give “new impetus” to relations with Moscowafter stepping off his plane onto the tarmac of the airport in the Russian capital.

I am convinced that this visit will be effective and that it will give new impetus to the healthy and stable development of Sino-Russian relations“, the Chinese leader said, according to Russian news agencies, calling Beijing and Moscow “good neighbors” and “reliable partners“.

As he said, China is “ready to firmly stand by Russia in favor of ‘true multilateralism’ and a ‘multipolar world.’

Him Xi Jinpingwho is making his first visit to Russia since 2019, was welcomed onto the tarmac at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernychenko before the Russian and Chinese national anthems were played by a military band before a guard of honour.

On the occasion of this three-day official visit, Xi will today have an informal meeting with Mr Russian bond of Vladimir Putin ahead of the more formal talks they will have tomorrow Tuesday.

The two leaders they will mainly discuss the plan proposed last month by Beijing to settle the conflict in Ukraine, which the West viewed with reservations. The Kyiv says any moves for peace must include the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Representative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Oleg Nikolenkosaid that Kiev expects China to exert its influence on Russia in order to end the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine is watching the Chinese president’s visit to Russia closelyNikolenko said in a statement shortly after Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

We expect Beijing to exert its influence on Moscow to get it to end its war of aggression against Ukraine.

We are ready to engage in a closer dialogue with China in order to restore peace in Ukraine in accordance with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the most recent UN General Assembly resolution on this matterNikolenko said.