Pressure from the West is contributing to closer ties between Russia and China, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Wednesday during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing.
Mishustin’s visit comes as Russia is increasingly turning to China for diplomatic and economic support to counter the growing international isolation caused by the war in Ukraine.
In remarks at the start of the meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Mishustin made no mention of the war, which China, out of deference to Moscow, refused to criticize, focusing instead on economic cooperation between neighboring countries, establishing a strategic partnership forged to challenge American leadership in global affairs.
Relations between the two countries are “at an unprecedented level”, influenced by “increasing turmoil on the international scene and the sensational pressure being imposed by the collective West,” Mishustin said.
China has said it is neutral in the conflict in Ukraine and wants to play a mediating role, but maintains a “borderless” relationship with Russia and blames NATO expansion for the conflict. Trade between China and Russia increased by 34.3% last year, helping Moscow ease the effects of sanctions imposed by the West.
China’s Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian government officials during talks in Kiev this month. The visit followed a phone call last month between the Ukrainian leader and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, which Zelenskyy described as “long and meaningful” and marked the first known contact between the two since the start of the Russian invasion.
Beijing unveiled a peace plan in February that was widely rejected by Ukraine’s allies, who insisted that Russian troops must first withdraw from Ukrainian territory. Zelensky’s own 10-point peace plan includes a tribunal to prosecute war crimes committed by Russia.
In Beijing, Mishustin highlighted Russia’s role as an oil and gas supplier to China and the historical ties between the two countries.
“The peoples of Russia and China value their rich history, cultures and traditions. We support the development of our culture, exchange and communication,” he said.
Mikhail Mishustin’s words come after the G7 member states (the seven most industrialized democracies) strongly criticized the two countries at last weekend’s summit, which took place in Japan.
Source: DN
