Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced his acceptance of an invitation to visit China in October, marking his first known trip abroad since an arrest warrant was issued against him over the deportation of children from Ukraine. The invitation was extended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Putin confirmed his acceptance during a meeting with Beijing's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The meeting between Putin and Wang took place in Saint Petersburg, where the Chinese diplomat is on a four-day visit to Russia.

The high-level talks come as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Moscow and Beijing. In response to the invitation, Putin expressed his pleasure in accepting, stating, "I was pleased to accept the invitation of the Chairman of the People's Republic of China to visit China in October." Images distributed by Russian state television captured the moment. The decision to visit China comes as the Kremlin seeks to deepen its relationship with the country following the start of the Ukraine offensive, which has resulted in increased isolation for Moscow.

China, on the other hand, has positioned itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict and has offered diplomatic and financial support to the Russian government. The upcoming visit to China is expected to further solidify the partnership between the two nations and provide a platform for discussions on various bilateral issues. It also signifies the continuing efforts of Russia and China to strengthen their ties and navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape.