China’s Xi Jinping plans Russia visit, wants to play more active role in ending Kyiv war

Chinese leer Xi Jinping is expected to make a visit to Moscow for a summit with Russia’s president Vlimir Putin in coming months, APA reported, citing sources familiar with plan. As Beijing said that it wants to assume a "more active mediation role" aimed at ending conflict, Xi's visit will be focused on a push for multiparty peace talks between Russia and war-torn Ukraine. Chinese President will reiterate calls not to use threats of use of nuclear weapons during ongoing conflict.

No official date for Xi Jinping's visit to Russia has been confirmed by eir side. It is speculated that visit may come in April or in early May around time that Moscow marks its victory in World War II over Germany. 

Chinese diplomat in Moscow to discuss Xi's visit 

China's diplomatic initiative to broker end of hostilities was first previewed last week as country's top diplomat, Wang Yi, hinted during  Munich Security Conference. On Tuesday, Wang was in Moscow to hold a discussion about strengning China-Russia relations and “international and regional hot-spot issues of shared interest,” according to a statement by China’s Foreign Ministry. Chinese diplomat will also discuss Xi’s upcoming trip while he is in Moscow. Wang's trip is conclusion of his eight-day tour to France, Italy, and Hungary, Germany where he attended Munich conference.

Wang will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian state media TASS reported. Neir country said if Wang will hold talks with President Vlimir Putin. At an earlier press conference, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, said that Russia “does not exclude” such a meeting between a Chinese diplomat and Russian President. 

Meanwhile,  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in an interview expressed worry that Beijing is considering stepping up its cooperation with Moscow on defense front, and may be reying to supply  “lethal support” for Russia's Spring offensive. “We’ve been watching this very closely,” Blinken told CBS’ “Face Nation." “ concern that we have now is based on information we have that y’re considering providing lethal support, and we’ve me very clear to m that that would cause a serious problem for us and in our relationship," he ded.