The head of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov will make an official visit Monday and Tuesday to China, Moscow’s key diplomatic and economic partner, his services announced in a press release on Sunday.
“On April 8 and 9, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, will pay an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, during which discussions with (his Chinese counterpart, editor’s note) (…) Wang Yi are planned,” said the Russian ministry.
According to the statement, the two leaders “will discuss a wide range of issues relating to bilateral cooperation, as well as cooperation in the international arena.”
“An in-depth exchange of views is planned on a number of ‘hot topics’”, it is also specified, the Russian ministry citing “the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Asia-Pacific region”.
In a separate statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed Lavrov’s arrival as part of an “official visit” to Chinese territory “at the invitation of Wang Yi.”
Since the outbreak of the Russian assault on Ukraine in February 2022, relations between Moscow and Beijing have greatly strengthened. This trip by Sergei Lavrov is part of this rapprochement.
“Friendship without limits”
In March 2023, Xi Jinping visited Moscow under the auspices of the Kremlin, reaffirming with Vladimir Putin “a limitless friendship” between their two countries, which both denounce Western hegemony on the international scene.
The Russian president spoke with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the New Silk Roads forum in Beijing last October.
On this occasion, Xi Jinping spoke of “constantly growing mutual political trust” between China and Russia, against a backdrop of head-on opposition to the United States.
Facing the press after his re-election to the Kremlin in March 2024, Vladimir Putin described the relationship between Moscow and Beijing as a “factor of stability”, emphasizing his “very good personal relationship” with Xi Jinping.
China, which presents itself as a neutral party in the conflict in Ukraine but which has become Russia’s main economic partner for two years, advocates a political settlement to end the fighting.
It is regularly called upon by Westerners to play a more active role in the settlement of hostilities, using its influence over Moscow.
This article is originally published on lefigaro.fr
