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. The Chinese leader arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a four-day state visit,

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday in Moscow as a contingent of world leaders come to Russia as it celebrates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

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.