As Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares for his heavily choreographed May 9 “Victory Day” military parade, he’s been clear who’s at the top of his guest list: Xi Jinping.

By Andrew Osborn and Laurie Chen (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping flew into Moscow on Wednesday for talks with President Vladimir Putin and a pomp-filled visit that Kyiv has made clear it opposes after Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow shortly before he touched down.

The Russian president applauded China and Russia's partnership and called "the combat brotherhood" of the two nations a key pillar to its strategic cooperation, as Moscow's all-out war in Ukraine continues.