Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to pay a state visit to Russia in the spring of 2023, in what could be a public show of Beijing’s solidarity after the Russian-led war in Ukraine. Reuters.

In opening remarks at a video conference between the two leaders, which was broadcast on state television, Putin said: “We are waiting for you, dear Mr. President, dear friend, we are waiting for you next spring with a state visit to Moscow.”

He added that this visit “will demonstrate to the world the closeness of Russian-Chinese relations.”

Speaking for about eight minutes, Putin said relations between Russia and China are gaining importance as a stabilizing factor, and he seeks to deepen military cooperation between the two countries.

In a response that lasted just two minutes, Xi said China was ready to strengthen strategic cooperation with Russia amid what he called the “difficult” situation in the world as a whole.

Xi did not respond to the invitation to go to Moscow.

Relations between Russia and China, which both sides have described in the past as a “borderless partnership,” have taken on a new dimension since Moscow sent its armed forces into Ukraine.

While Western countries have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia, China has refrained from condemning Moscow’s military campaign, instead stressing the need for peace.

Russian energy exports to China have increased significantly since the start of the conflict, and Russia is now China’s largest supplier of oil.

However, Beijing has so far been careful not to provide direct material support that could trigger Western sanctions against China.

At the September summit in Uzbekistan, Putin admitted that he was aware of his Chinese counterpart’s “concern” about the situation in Ukraine.