As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to land in Moscow for a highly symbolic visit, Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s capital for the third consecutive day, highlighting the tension and unease surrounding his arrival.
Xi’s visit — his 11th as president — comes as Russia gears up to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. He is set to attend a grand military parade on Red Square alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and 28 other world leaders. For Putin, this high-profile show of support from the world’s second most powerful country is a major diplomatic win amid Russia’s deepening isolation due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In the early hours of Wednesday, Moscow’s skies were pierced by at least 14 Ukrainian drones, all intercepted by Russian air defenses, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. The attacks temporarily shut down major airports, causing widespread flight cancellations just hours before Xi’s arrival. Ukrainian officials also reported a deadly Russian airstrike on Kyiv that killed a woman and her child, adding to the already volatile atmosphere.
Beijing has stayed publicly neutral on the war, though its growing trade and energy ties with Moscow have helped soften the blow of Western sanctions on Russia. Xi, who has called for peace talks and criticized the U.S. for fueling the war with arms supplies, is expected to push for a multipolar global order during his summit with Putin.
Notably, the Chinese foreign ministry avoided commenting directly on the drone attacks or Xi’s travel plans but emphasized that “avoiding escalation” remains a top priority. This diplomatic ambiguity hasn’t gone unnoticed. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has urged nations not to send troops to participate in Russia’s May 9 parade, implying that involvement would undermine any claims of neutrality.
Xi’s visit underscores the deepening China-Russia alliance. Despite facing a tariff war with the U.S., Xi plans to sign numerous trade and energy agreements, including discussions about the Power of Siberia 2 — a long-planned gas pipeline that would cement Russia as China’s key energy supplier.
In an article published in Russian media, Xi emphasized that China and Russia must “firmly uphold the post-war international order,” positioning both nations as guardians of the United Nations system and opponents of U.S. hegemony.
While the U.S. continues to back Kyiv and former President Donald Trump attempts to mediate peace, Putin and Xi are expected to present a united front. Their summit, set for Thursday, will cover sensitive issues like energy strategy and global power dynamics, making Xi’s visit a defining moment in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
