Putin, Xi to Hold Informal Talks in Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet privately over tea in Beijing.

Joining the discussion from the Russian side will be Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Staff Maxim Oreshkin, and Presidential Aide for International Affairs Yury Ushakov, The Caspian Post reports, citing TASS.

"There will be a very significant conversation between our leader and Chairman Xi Jinping in an intimate setting, with only four officials present from each side - Lavrov, Belousov, Ushakov, and Oreshkin representing Russia," Ushakov explained during a news briefing. "Following this, Chairman Xi will host an official breakfast, which will include a larger group of participants - more than 10 or 12."

According to the Kremlin official, Putin and Xi Jinping are expected to engage in extensive discussions during the SCO summit, including during bilateral talks scheduled for September 2 and the anniversary celebrations on September 3. The celebrations will feature a parade and commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. The official noted, "There will be numerous contacts, and naturally, the Russian and Chinese presidents will spend a significant amount of time together one-on-one." Ushakov added that the leaders will not only address international issues but also explore the current state and future prospects of their bilateral cooperation across various sectors.