Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a major power for the first time since Russia launched a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the President of China Xi Jinping discussed in Beijing on Wednesday, reports the Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
At a media conference organized after the meeting, Putin said that conflicts in different parts of the world are strengthening the relationship between Russia and China.
– All these external factors are common threats, and they strengthen the relationship between Russia and China, Putin said.
Putin added that he was “optimistic” about the future.
According to Xinhua, Xi praised the relations between Russia and China. Xi said political trust between the two countries continues to deepen.
– The countries have maintained close and effective strategic cooperation. The volume of bilateral trade has increased to historic levels, Xi said.
Putin, who arrived in China on Tuesday, will participate in a forum organized in honor of the Belt and Road infrastructure project in Beijing.
It is Putin’s first visit to a major power since Russia launched a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March. The reason for the arrest warrant was the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children from the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia. China is not covered by the arrest warrant issued by the ICC.
Xi: We oppose unilateral sanctions
In his opening speech at the forum, Xi said China would not engage in “ideological disputes, geopolitical games or inter-bloc confrontations”.
– We oppose unilateral sanctions and economic blackmail, Xi said in his speech.
In his own speech, Putin praised China’s international project as an unexpected success story.
– Our Chinese friends make it work. We are happy to see this success story, which means a lot to many of us, Putin said.
The purpose of the project, which is also called the new silk road, is to increase, among other things, China’s trade with the countries covered by the project.