Vladimir Putin has hailed Russia’s military co-operation with China and warned of security threats beyond its war with Ukraine after meeting China’s defence minister in the latest sign of deepening ties between Moscow and Beijing.
The Russian president told Li Shangfu that Moscow and Beijing were “regularly exchanging useful information, partnering in the sphere of military-technical co-operation and holding joint exercises”.
Acclaiming the significance of their partnership, Putin said Russia and China’s defence ministries were “working just as actively” in other areas, including on their economic relationship, where Beijing has thrown the Kremlin a lifeline after western sanctions cut Moscow out of global markets and supply chains.