Russia: Putin gives warm welcome to Xi Jinping and Chinese delegation

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow, Friday, as the Chinese leader arrived for the Victory Day celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII that are set to take place on Saturday. After the talks, the presidents are due to have a joint working lunch before Xi Jinping meets with Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev. Putin warmly welcomed his Chinese counterpart, who replied that his visit to Moscow was a "long-term dream" of his which finally has become real. Some 40 documents are expected to be signed during the talks, including agreements regarding the East Route pipeline, the Silk Road Economic Belt, and increasing cooperation between Russia's Gazprom and China's CNPC. Jinping's visit will run from May 8-10, during which he will also attend Moscow's 2015 Victory Day parade on May 9, where Chinese servicemen are taking part in for the first time in 2015. Following his trip to Russia, the Chinese leader will visit Belarus from May 10-12.