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Russia and China have placed on a united entrance because the nation’s leaders met in Beijing forward of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, with the 2 trying to current themselves as a counterweight to the US and its allies.
China stated it helps Russia’s calls for for safety ensures from the West, as each international locations known as on NATO to show its again on “Chilly Conflict approaches”.
It comes as Russian overseas minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed US claims that Moscow is planning a pretend assault to justify an invasion of Ukraine as “nonsense”.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Friday for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics and talks together with his Chinese language counterpart Xi Jinping.
Mr Xi stated China and Russia resolutely assist one another in the case of defending key pursuits, whereas Mr Putin praised the “unprecedented” shut relations between the 2.
Mr Putin’s presence on the Video games makes him probably the most high-profile visitor in attendance, following a call by the US, UK and others to not ship officers in protest over China’s human rights abuses and therapy of Uyghurs and different Muslim minorities.
In televised remarks, the Russian chief praised the shut financial ties between the 2 international locations, highlighting a brand new contract to produce China with 10 billion cubic meters of gasoline per yr from jap Russia.
The published which aired in Moscow confirmed each world leaders, neither one carrying a masks, sitting reverse one another throughout a big desk in a Beijing state guesthouse, surrounded by masked aides.
Russia and China known as for NATO to halt its growth, as they signed a joint assertion with the intention “to withstand the interference of exterior forces”.
The 2 international locations had beforehand coordinated their positions on Ukraine throughout a gathering between their overseas ministers, Wang Yi and Mr Lavrov, the Chinese language overseas ministry stated.
1000’s of Russian troops have massed close to the border of Ukraine, elevating fears of an invasion – one thing Russia has denied planning, however it has known as on the US and its allies to supply a binding pledge that NATO will not increase into Ukraine.
Each international locations stated additionally they needed to see additional steps taken to decrease the chance of nuclear struggle – however added that they condemned the creation of AUKUS and different army blocs within the Asia-Pacific area.
The AUKUS partnership, introduced final yr, noticed the UK, Australia and US type a trilateral safety pact to develop and deploy nuclear-powered submarines, including to the Western army presence within the Pacific area amid rising concern over China.
Moscow got here out in assist of Beijing’s stance on Taiwan and stated: “The Russian facet reaffirms its assist for the One-China precept, confirms that Taiwan is an inalienable a part of China, and opposes any types of independence of Taiwan.”
Russia and China additionally expressed considerations about Japanese plans to dump radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe into the ocean.
Learn extra:
Russia tensions: Moscow’s plans ‘ruined’ after US and Britain name out doable invasion
‘We have to get used to this’: Ukrainians fatalistic about newest Russian risk
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