Xi tells Putin it’s ‘imperative to end fighting’ in Middle East – but stays silent on Ukraine: Live updates

Russian president Vladimir Putin has met Xi Jinping for the start of a summit in Beijing, just days after a similar visit by US president Donald Trump.

Putin and Xi will meet to discuss key international issues during talks over tea that officials characterised as an intimate tete-a-tete between "old friends".

Russia said it had "serious expectations" for the visit, and that it will include the signing of a 47-page document making various commitments about Russia-China relations.

After landing last night in China, Putin was greeted by foreign minister Wang Yi and an honour guard alongside Chinese youths waving China and Russia's national flags.

Earlier, China outright denied Xi had told Trump that Putin might come to regret invading Ukraine – reports that had threatened to overshadow the Russian leader's visit.

Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a reporter: “The information you mentioned does not match the facts and is completely fabricated out of thin air.” Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine – report

The covert training sessions, which predominantly focused on the use of drones, were outlined in a dual-language Russian-Chinese agreement signed by senior Russian and Chinese officers in Beijing on 2 July last year.

While China and Russia have held a number of joint military exercises since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Beijing has repeatedly stated that it is neutral in the conflict and presents itself as a peace mediator.

The agreement also said hundreds of Chinese troops would undergo training at military facilities in Russia. By training Russian military personnel at an operational and tactical level who then participate in Ukraine, China is far more directly involved in the war on the European continent than previously known, one intelligence official said.

The Russian and Chinese defence ministries did not respond to requests for comment on the details outlined in this article.

"Relevant parties should not deliberately stoke ⁠confrontation or shift blame."

The intelligence agencies spoke on condition they not be identified in order to discuss sensitive information.

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 06:03EU considering Draghi or Merkel for potential talks with Putin to end war in Ukraine – report

European Union governments are discussing whether former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi, or former German chancellor Angela Merkel, could represent the bloc in potential negotiations with Russian president Vladimir Putin, the Financial Times reported this morning.

Foreign ministers ‌will discuss the merits of ⁠possible candidates at an EU meeting in Cyprus next week, the report said, citing ‌people familiar with ​the ‌matter.

The Independent has not verified the report.

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 05:24Xi tells Putin 'imperative' to end the US war in Middle East

In his opening remarks of high-level talks, Chinese president Xi Jinping has told his ally that it is critical to end the US and Israel’s war on Iran.

“It is imperative to stop the fighting,” Xi said, speaking on the situation in the Middle East.

He added that the cessation of the war will help reduce disruption to stability of energy supply and international trade order.

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 05:13China says report that Xi said Putin would regret invasion is ‘completely fabricated out of thin air’

“The information you mentioned does not match the facts and is completely fabricated out of thin air,” foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters.

An X account for the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs’ spokesperson added: “Completely false”, alongside a picture of the headline.

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 05:08

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 05:04Xi and Putin say Russia-China ties at 'unprecedented level'

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have given their opening remarks at the start of talks in Beijing – here’s what the two leaders have said in their first exchange:Putin told Xi that ties between Russia ⁠and China are ⁠at an ​unprecedented ⁠level as he invited him to visit Russia ‌next ​year Xi tells Putin the world is in danger of reversing into the law of the jungle Xi says the China-Russia relations have reached this level because the two sides have been able to deepen political mutual trust and strategic cooperation Putin tells Xi that Russia and China’s relations are helping global stability and that they are at an unprecedented level To his biggest energy importer, Putin says Russia remains a reliable energy supplier amid the ongoing war in the Middle East Xi tells Putin that China and Russia should promote the construction of a 'more just' and reasonable global governance system

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 04:58Putin and Xi greet each other with smiles at welcoming ceremony

Russian leader Vladimir Putin was greeted by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as he arrived at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing this morning.

The two leaders walked side by side on a carpet laid out for the welcome ceremony under tall flags of Russia and China.

They also inspected an honour guard during the welcoming ceremony, eerily similar to the pomp Xi had thrown for the US president Donald Trump just last week.

Xi then took his Russian counterpart to meet with his cabinet leaders lined at the steps of the Great Hall of the People.

Putin and Xi inspect an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (AP)

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 04:45China's Xi begins meeting with Putin

Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have started their meeting, state media reported.

Putin arrived at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and met his Chinese counterpart around 11am local time.

Putin was greeted with a welcome ceremony which featured an honour guard and the playing of both countries' national anthems.

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 04:3240 documents, tea session: What to expect from Putin's meeting with Xi today

Russian president Vladimir Putin is accompanied by a delegation including deputy prime ministers, ministers and heads of state corporations and major banks.

Putin and Xi will likely seek to display the so-called "no limits" partnership between China and Russia as strengthened since the West imposed sanctions to punish Russia for the war in Ukraine.The Kremlin has set "serious expectations" for Putin's visit, which, alongside talks, will include a signing ceremony and a banquet followed by a tea where the two leaders will discuss key international issues in an informal setting.Some ​40 documents are expected to be signed and a 47-page joint statement on their strengthening partnership will be issued, according to ‌the Kremlin.Putin and Xi are also expected to adopt a ⁠joint declaration on establishing a multipolar world order and a "new type of international relations", a Kremlin aide said.Negotiations on the Power ⁠of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which is due to link Russia to northern China, are also likely to be on the cards, industry experts said.Energy supply shortages ‌linked to the conflict in Iran may back Russia's case for ​the pipeline as a long-term gas source, but Beijing may want to stick to its supply diversification strategy.

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 04:03Russia considers joint projects with US and China, says Kremlin official

Russia is considering the possibility of joint projects ⁠with the United States and China, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct ⁠Investment ​Fund, Russia's sovereign ⁠wealth fund, was quoted as saying ⁠by state media this morning.

In a few hours, Russian president Vladimir Putin will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, days after Xi had talks with US president Donald Trump.

"Within the framework of the Russian Direct Investment Fund we are also looking at certain projects, including those involving both ‌China and the ​US", Dmitriev, Putin's ‌special envoy and ⁠a key figure in ⁠talks between Moscow and Washington, said.

(Getty/iStock)

Arpan Rai20 May 2026 03:56