China: FM Wang Yi to hold bilateral security consultation in Russia

China says Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold a China-Russia strategic security consultation in Russia from Monday to Thursday.

The foreign ministry says Wang will visit Russia at the invitation of the country's Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev. Patrushev is a close aide to President Vladimir Putin.

Wang is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Monday. They are expected to arrange a summit between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which could take place as early as next month.

During his visit to Russia, Wang is expected to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine, strained US-China ties and the recent summit between Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

At the weekend, Wang met US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Malta.

China's foreign ministry described the talks as profound and beneficial, saying the two officials spent a long time communicating with each other.