Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 4 he was expecting Chinese leader Xi Jinping to attend a summit of the BRICS group of major emerging economies in Russia next month. Putin has looked to the Chinese leader for support since the Ukraine conflict began, with the two boosting trade to record highs as Russia faces heavy economic sanctions from the West. "As agreed, we are expecting Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit," Putin said during a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The BRICS group, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, represents almost half the world's population and has since expanded to include other major emerging economies including the United Arab Emirates and Iran.
Putin Says He Expects China's Xi At BRICS Summit In Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 4.