Putin in Beijing for talks with Xi

The Russian president landed at Beijing Capital International Airport shortly after 11:15 p.m. (0315 UTC).

"We do not expect a fundamental shift in the strategic relations between Russia and China at this stage," Merz was cited by German news agency DPA as saying.

"But we naturally associate this visit with the hope that President Xi will also urge President Putin to end this war in Ukraine, which he cannot win," he said, pointing to reportedly high casualties among Russian soldiers.

Russia has become increasingly reliant on its links to China's economy after being isolated from Western countries due to its war in Ukraine.

China has not condemned the Russian invasion and has called for a negotiated settlement between Kyiv and Moscow .

The Kremlin said that Putin and Xi were to discuss ways to "further strengthen" Russian-Chinese ties and "exchange views on key international and regional issues." In a Tuesday video message, Putin said that China and Russia's relations had reached "a truly unprecedented level" and that "trade between Russia and China continues to grow." "The close strategic relationship between Russia and China plays a major, stabilizing role globally. Without allying against anyone, we seek peace and universal prosperity," Putin said.

Russia and China have deepened their cooperation since Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine that isolated it from Western states.

China is the world's largest buyer of Russian oil, which is under Western sanctions .

Russia also aims to set up a natural gas pipeline to China through Mongolia in a project dubbed the "Power of Siberia 2".

It comes less than a week after US President Donald Trump visited the Chinese capital.

The Kremlin has said that Putin and Xi are to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries as well as "key international and regional issues." We will keep you updated with the latest news on Putin's visit on Tuesday and Wednesday.