Russia's Medvedev meets China's Xi during surprise Beijing visit
Deputy head of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during their meeting in Beijing, China, Dec. 21, 2022. (EPA Photo)


Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as he made a surprise trip to Beijing Wednesday.

The two leaders reportedly held talks on bilateral relations and the Ukraine conflict.

Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, posted a video on his Telegram channel showing him meeting Xi, smiling for photos and a meeting between Chinese and Russian officials.

Medvedev said he and Xi had discussed the two countries "no limits" strategic partnership, as well as Ukraine. He did not provide further details.

"We discussed cooperation between the two ruling parties of China and Russia ... bilateral cooperation within our strategic partnership, including on the economy and industrial production. We also discussed international issues – including, of course, the conflict in Ukraine," Medvedev said.

"The talks were useful," he added.

Russia accelerated its pivot toward Beijing after it was hit with a slew of Western sanctions to punish it for its February invasion of Ukraine, something Moscow calls "a special military operation."

Russia is seeking to foster closer economic, political and security ties with China to offset its loss of comparable Western ties and sees Xi as a potential ally in an anti-Western coalition.