The Polish head of state, along with First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda, are departing for China on Friday night for the visit which will include meetings with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and top Chinese officials.

Duda is set to meet President Xi Jinping, on Monday, along with Premier Li Qiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji.

His visit comes as Western countries try to walk a delicate line in their relations with China. An economic superpower that can not be ignored, the country has also caused frustration and anxiety in the West owing to its strong ties with Russia.

But at the same time, Western countries know that China is, perhaps, the only state that has the power to influence Moscow’s military and political strategy on Ukraine; another reason to keep links with Beijing strong.

The Polish president said on Friday morning that his talks with Xi are to cover visa requirements for Polish citizens, economic relations, and the situation in Ukraine.

He added that Ukraine is crucial for the Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to expand infrastructure networks connecting China with Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

President Duda highlighted the importance of the visit as China is currently one of the world’s major powers. “All rational leaders engage with China. Presidents of leading nations globally meet with Chinese leaders… I aim to maintain amicable relations with China,” he said.

Duda admitted that the Chinese government “has considerable political influence” and could exert pressure on Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian president, to make him cease hybrid attacks on Poland.

The president’s visit to China is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday.