China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, is set to visit Russia from March 31 to April 2 for high-level discussions on Ukraine and broader geopolitical issues. This visit comes at a time of deepening ties between Beijing and Moscow, as both nations continue to strengthen their economic and diplomatic partnership amid ongoing global tensions.
According to China’s foreign ministry, Wang will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other top officials. The discussions will focus on bilateral relations, upcoming high-level meetings between the two countries, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. China has framed itself as a neutral party in the war, refraining from sending lethal aid to either side while simultaneously maintaining a strong alliance with Russia.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China aims to use this visit to advance the “important consensus” reached by President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Wang’s discussions in Moscow will cover a range of international and regional issues of shared interest, with the Ukraine crisis expected to be a key topic.
Despite Beijing’s claims of neutrality, NATO has labeled China a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war effort. While China has called for peace and a ceasefire, Western nations have repeatedly urged Beijing to exert more pressure on Moscow to engage in meaningful negotiations to end the conflict. During a recent meeting in Beijing, French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné emphasized that China has a crucial role in persuading Russia to negotiate in good faith.
This diplomatic exchange follows a recent visit to Beijing by Russian security official Sergei Shoigu and a phone call between Xi and Putin. The two leaders are also expected to exchange state visits in the coming months. Xi will attend Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations, while Putin is set to visit China between late August and early September.
With tensions over Ukraine continuing to shape global geopolitics, Wang’s visit to Moscow is expected to reinforce China and Russia’s strategic alignment while drawing further scrutiny from Western nations. The extent to which Beijing can influence Moscow’s stance on Ukraine remains a key question for the international community.
