Xi Jinping confirms trip to Russia as it emerges China is sending rifles

Chinese president Xi Jinping will embark on a three-day trip to Moscow in an apparent show of support for Vladimir Putin. The rumoured trip was officially confirmed yesterday by China's foreign affairs ministry. Russia said the Chinese president is visiting at the invitation of Putin. The Kremlin said that Putin would have a one-to-one meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Monday and hold further negotiations on Tuesday, followed by a statement to the press. Mr Xi is also reportedly planning to call Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky after his Moscow visit, their first interaction since the invasion. China has insisted it…