On Sunday (Apr 16), Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu in Moscow, and both men praised the military cooperation between their two nations, which have declared a “no limits” partnership.
Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Putin in Moscow.
Since Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Russia and China have taken further steps to strengthen their economic, political, and military ties.
Footage of the meeting showed Putin shaking hands with Li before sitting down at a table. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was also in attendance.
Putin said, “We actively collaborate through our military departments, frequently exchange useful information, cooperate in the field of military-technical partnership, and conduct joint exercises.”
Military Exercises Involving Ground, Naval, and Air Forces Held in Far East and Europe, Says Official
“Undoubtedly, this is another crucial area that strengthens the extremely trusting, strategic nature of our relations,” Putin said.
Ukrainian forces
Ukrainian forces are finding a growing number of components from China in Russian weapons used in Ukraine, a senior official in Kyiv said on Friday. China has repeatedly denied sending military equipment to Russia.
NATO and the United States say they have seen no signs yet that Beijing is supplying arms to Moscow.
Li made his first visit to another country since his appointment last month.
“In recent times cooperation between Russia and China in the military and military-technical spheres has been developing very well,” he told Putin, saying this helped boost regional security. Li’s comments were translated by the Kremlin.
The next day, Chinese state media reported similar comments.
“China is willing to work with Russia to make new contributions to the maintenance of world and regional security and stability,” Li said, according to the CCTV news report.
Beijing had announced Li’s visit to Moscow last week, saying he would meet defence officials, but made no mention of a meeting with Putin.
Li has been under US sanctions since 2018 over the purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia’s main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.