"Putin and Xi discuss Chinese role in Ukraine crisis during first Russia visit since invasion"

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Russia, his first since Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Putin praised Xi in a Chinese newspaper article, calling him a "good old friend" and welcoming China's willingness to play a "constructive role" in solving the Ukraine crisis. The visit comes at a time of growing Russian dependence on Beijing, with China accounting for over 40% of Russia's total imports. The visit is seen as a show of support for Putin, but Xi is also expected to demonstrate that he can be a restraining force on Putin.