China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has landed in Moscow for significant discussions with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. This meeting is poised to cover vital topics, including strategic cooperation and various international concerns, as per officials from China. The discussions are scheduled for Tuesday.
Timing coincides with Ukraine-Russia ceasefire talks
This diplomatic visit follows closely on the heels of an agreement in principle between Ukraine and Russia to establish a limited ceasefire. This agreement emerged from recent dialogues involving U.S. President Donald Trump, who has played a pivotal role in mediating discussions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, the backdrop of Wang’s visit is clouded by uncertainties surrounding the potential ceasefire, particularly regarding its implementation and longevity. Trump articulated a sense of frustration on Sunday, stating,
“There’s tremendous hatred”
between Zelenskyy and Putin. He expressed his displeasure over Putin’s questioning of Zelenskyy’s credibility, further highlighting the growing tensions within NATO, especially as relations with Canada become strained due to ongoing trade disputes.
China’s continued support for Russia amidst the conflict
Despite maintaining a public stance of neutrality regarding the Ukraine situation, China has consistently provided diplomatic and economic backing to Russia since the onset of the large-scale invasion over three years ago. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated this position during a press briefing, asserting that China’s partnership with Russia
“does not target a third party and should not be affected by any third party.”
He emphasized that dialogue and negotiation remain the only viable solutions to the ongoing crisis.
Although Wang’s visit did not directly address Ukraine, it underscored China’s intent to enhance strategic coordination and practical cooperation with Russia in various regional and international matters. This collaboration has notably included trade in energy and consumer goods. However, China has refrained from providing arms or military assistance, opting instead to propose a broadly criticized peace plan.
In a related development, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently extended his support for Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine during a meeting with a senior Russian security official in Pyongyang. This follows intelligence reports from South Korea indicating that North Korea had dispatched additional troops to Russia in response to significant casualties sustained by the Russian forces.