Asked about a possible Putin visit to China, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Beijing could be seen as preparation for “upcoming contacts at the highest level.”

“Indeed, such contacts are planned and there is an understanding of their expediency and necessity, given the high level of friendly relations between the Russian Federation and China,” Peskov told reporters.

“But we still consider it premature to specify any time frames. We will inform you about everything as soon as we are ready.”

Reuters reported last month that Putin will travel to China in May for talks with Xi, in what could be the Kremlin chief’s first overseas trip of his new presidential term.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Felix Light; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)