Putin confirms Xi visit as Ukraine war drags

STORY: Russia's President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that China's President Xi Jinping will visit him in Russia in the near future.

And that the countries' relationship is reaching, quote, "new frontiers" with an obvious nod to competition with the West, which fears Beijing could start providing Russia with weapons for the Ukraine war.

This was Putin meeting China's highest ranking diplomat, Wang Yi, at the Kremlin on Wednesday.

Wang is saying here, that crises can become opportunities, and that ties between China and Russia won't be coerced or pressured by third parties.

Wang also said he was looking to strike new agreements with Russia during his trip, without giving specifics.

Historically, China has distanced itself rhetorically from the war and hasn't given material aid to Russia, which could expose it to U.S. sanctions.