Russia-Ukraine war live: Zelenskiy heads to US as Putin promises to improve nuclear combat readiness

Ukrainian president expected to meet with president Joe Biden and Congressional leaders on Wednesday evening

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has undertaken a surprise trip to Beijing and held talks with the Chinese president Xi Jinping during which he said they discussed the Ukraine conflict.

Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s security council, posted a video on his Telegram channel showing him meeting Xi, smiling for photos and a meeting between Chinese and Russian officials.