Putin recorded a video message to Chinese citizens before his visit to Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin recorded a video message to Chinese citizens before his official visit to Beijing. This was announced on May 18 by Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader, answering a question from Izvestia.

He explained that this year's video message was a substitute for an article or interview by the Russian president in honor of a trip to China.

"This year, instead of an article, we recorded a video message from our president to the citizens of the People's Republic of China, and it will be distributed through appropriate channels," Ushakov said at a briefing.

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On May 16, the Kremlin announced that Putin would pay an official visit to China on May 19 and 20 at the invitation of Xi Jinping. This trip will be timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, which is fundamental for bilateral relations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on May 18 that the delegation that will accompany Putin to China will include deputy prime ministers, many ministers, as well as company executives. According to the press secretary of the Russian leader, Moscow has "the most serious expectations" from this visit.