YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS.  Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China in May for talks with Xi Jinping, in what could be the Kremlin chief's first overseas trip of his new presidential term, Reuters reports citing five sources familiar with the matter.

"Putin will visit China," one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. The details were independently confirmed by four other sources, who also spoke on condition of anonymity.

Another of the sources said Putin's trip to China would probably take place in the second half of May.

The Kremlin declined to comment. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China has strengthened its trade and military ties with Russia in recent years as the United States and its allies imposed sanctions against both countries. The two countries declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin's formal presidential inauguration is due to take place around May 7.

Xi visited Russia in his first post-pandemic overseas trip in March last year, shortly after commencing his precedent-breaking third term as Chinese president.