Vladimir Putin and Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, vowed to strengthen ties between their two countries despite “pressure from the international community” ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Wang’s visit to Moscow, the first by a senior Chinese official since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion last year, highlights the deepening relationship between Russia’s president and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as the war drags into its second year.
“We are prepared to maintain our strategic focus and determination alongside Russia,” Wang said as he met Putin on Wednesday. He added that the two sides would deepen “political mutual trust and strategic co-operation”.