Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Moscow on Wednesday, highlighting the close ties between the two nations. Putin emphasized that Russia and China have “large-scale joint plans” in economic and humanitarian sectors that are expected to last for many years, according to state news agency RIA.
Premier Li Qiang expressed China’s readiness to enhance all-round practical cooperation with Russia. “Our trade relations are developing successfully,” Putin remarked, noting the positive impact of the governments’ focus on trade and economic ties.
The meeting underscored the unprecedented level of Chinese-Russian relations, as described by Li, who also met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin earlier in the day.
The talks took place amid ongoing challenges for Russia, including an incursion by Ukrainian forces into the Kursk region and a series of drone attacks on Moscow, which officials described as one of the largest since the Ukraine conflict began.
While Russian news reports did not indicate whether the Ukraine situation was discussed, the meeting emphasized the deepening cooperation between Russia and China. China, maintaining a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, has significantly increased its purchase of Russian oil and stepped up sales of critical technology to Russia, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment.
Putin underscored China’s importance to Russia by meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing shortly after being inaugurated for a fifth term in the Kremlin.
