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.” Putin and Xi wrap up first meeting with statements hailing mutual relationsVladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have wrapped up the first meeting of their summit in Beijing, where they exchanged warm words regarding their two countries' relationship.The two lauded the progress in their strategic ties, as they met in Beijing for summit talks where Moscow is expected to push for stronger energy links.Here’s what Xi and Putin told each other:Putin called the talks substantial, and told Xi that his aim is to enhance the well-being of both Russians and the Chinese people Putin called the bilateral partnership “exemplary” and vowed to continue its development Xi told Putin that China and Russia relations had entered a new stage progress and that their foundation of mutual trust is growing stronger The Chinese leader said he would unswervingly promote long-term, healthy and stable development Putin assured Xi that the two countries would work together on international platforms Russian president Vladimir Putin, alongside foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, attends a bilateral meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Reuters)Arpan Rai20 May 2026 06:25Russians realise they aren’t safe as Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow bring war close to homeIt’s getting harder for officials in the Kremlin to cast the war in Ukraine – now in its fifth year – as something so distant that it doesn’t affect the daily routines of Russian civilians.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cast the attack in Moscow’s suburbs as a just retribution for the relentless and deadly Russian missile and drone strikes on the capital of Kyiv and other cities last week.Arpan Rai20 May 2026 06:15Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine – reportChina's armed forces secretly trained about 200 Russian military personnel in China late last year and some have since returned to fight in Ukraine, according to three European intelligence agencies and documents seen by Reuters.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, reviewed by Reuters, said about 200 Russian troops would ⁠be trained at military facilities in locations including Beijing and the eastern city of Nanjing. The sources said around this number subsequently trained in China.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."On the Ukraine crisis, China has consistently maintained an objective and impartial stance and worked to promote peace talks, this is consistent and clear and is witnessed by the international community," China's foreign ministry said in a statement to Reuters."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 – reportEuropean 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 EastIn 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.(Reuters)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 05:08Arpan 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 systemRussian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Reuters)Arpan Rai20 May 2026 04:58Putin and Xi greet each other with smiles at welcoming ceremonyRussian 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 PutinRussian 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.Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping inspect an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Reuters)Arpan Rai20 May 2026 04:32