Russia and China have agreed to discuss ways to deepen their security cooperation in Asia and Europe to counter attempts by the United States to impose its will on the region, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
Lavrov made this disclosure after talks with Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, as part of a two-day official visit to China.
Lavrov’s visit comes as the two nations mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
Lavrov disclosed that Putin had suggested strengthening Eurasian security, adding that Moscow and Beijing had agreed to “start a dialogue with the involvement of our other like-minded people on this issue.”
“For a long time, there was a Euro-Atlantic security structure in the form of NATO, of course, as well as the OSCE, but it is striking itself out from the list of relevant structures within which it is possible to conduct meaningful negotiations and agree on something based on a balance of interests.”
Sergey Lavrov
At a news conference after the meeting, Wang said that China and Russia should “oppose hegemonism and power politics, oppose the monopoly of international affairs by a few countries.”
China’s top diplomat stated that the two nations must stand on the side of “fairness and justice.”
Wang touted the countries’ ties as being elevated to “the highest level in history,” and alluded to their shared views on the United States by saying they would “oppose a Cold War mentality.”
It was reported that Wang emphasised that China would continue to deepen its trading relationship, its economic relationship with Moscow at a time when Western allies are trying to isolate Putin, and isolate Moscow.
Russia and China should “jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism” and “work together to maintain the stability of international industry and supply chains”, Wang said.
Wang told Lavrov that China “will support Russia’s stable development under the leadership of Putin.”
Peace Conference Recognised By Moscow And Kyiv
According to Russian state news agency, Lavrov divulged that he and Wang discussed the war in Ukraine and agreed that international meetings on Ukraine ignoring Moscow’s interests “are futile.”
Wang told his counterpart that China supports holding an international peace conference “recognized by both Russia and Ukraine,” with “equal participation by all parties and where all peace plans are discussed fairly.”
Lavrov stated that Russia wanted the United Nations Security Council to give an assessment of Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station. Ukraine has denied it is behind the drone attacks.
Both ministers said their countries would strengthen ties against terrorism.
Militant group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the shooting at a concert venue near Moscow where at least 144 people died, but Russia, without providing evidence, has said it believes Ukraine was behind the attack.
“Our co-operation on counter-terrorism will continue, including within the framework of multilateral institutions,” Lavrov said.
Lavrov additionally denounced the “unlawful sanctions” imposed by the West against Russia and other countries and warned that the sanctions policy “is starting to be actively applied towards (China) as well.”
Also on Tuesday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with top Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, yet another sign of the importance China gives to its increasingly robust ties with Moscow.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 it has been drawn closer to China. During a summit last year, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and China’s President Xi Jinping declared that ties were “entering a new era”.
READ ALSO: Israeli Military Aid Juggernaut Spared While Germany Faces ICJ Heat
