China's leader Xi Jinping is scheduled to fly to Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week. This visit will be Jinping's first foreign trip since securing a third term as president, and is seen as a show of support for Moscow from Beijing. Western countries have been wary of the two nations' deepening partnership with war raging in Europe.

The visit comes as China seeks to present itself as a neutral peace broker in the Ukraine crisis, offering proposals to end the war which Western countries have only given a lukewarm reception to. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the visit will take place Monday to Wednesday and will include the war in the Ukraine being a key discussion topic.

The two leaders are reported to be discussing the "topical issues of further development of comprehensive partnership relations and strategic cooperation" between the two countries according to the Kremlin. In addition, various bilateral documents are expected to be signed.