Xi, Putin hold talks in Beijing days after Trump's visit

BEIJING: (May 20) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held wide-ranging talks here on Wednesday on bilateral ties and key global issues, including Iran, the Ukraine war, and trade.

Their talks assumed significance as the two leaders met days after US President Donald Trump visited Beijing from May 14-15 and held extensive discussions with Xi on issues ranging from Iran and the Ukraine war to bilateral trade frictions and regional developments.

Ahead of the talks at the Great Hall of the People, Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Xi.