Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Russia next week for a three-day visit to hold "strategic cooperation" talks with his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin.
Several bilateral agreements will be signed during the trip, neither country confirmed the speculation that the two leaders will call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
While China initially supported Russia with a "no-limit partnership," it has since presented itself as a peace broker by issuing a 12-point peace plan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia from March 20-22 for talks aimed at boosting strategic cooperation, according to a statement from the Kremlin.
The visit will follow a period of warming ties between the two countries, with both leaders focusing on trade, energy, and investment.
The two countries have also been deepening their military ties, with Russia providing military technology to China.
While China and Russia have often portrayed their partnership as a close and unique alignment, it has become clear in recent months that they differ in their approach to Ukraine.
While Russia has sent thousands of troops across the Ukraine border and launched a full-scale invasion, China has positioned itself as a peace broker, putting forward a 12-point peace plan for Ukraine.
If Xi were to speak with Zelenskyy, it could signal Beijing's willingness to look beyond its relationship with Moscow and engage with Ukraine directly.
However, neither country has confirmed that call will take place.
Regardless, the meeting between Xi and Putin this month will be viewed as a significant moment for the region and also for the future of relations between Russia and China.