On April 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. This was stated by the Russian President’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov, transmits RIA News.
As noted by Peskov, more detailed information about the meeting will follow later.
Kremlin Telegram Channel published images of the meeting between Putin and Li Shangfu. On this, the President of Russia, in particular, told the Chinese Defense Minister that between Moscow and Beijing “there is a very good development <…> in the sense of the military departments”.
Li Shangfu, in turn, said at the meeting that cooperation between Russia and China will continue “for the sake of the prosperity of the whole world”, and also noted “that he specifically singled out Russia for his first visit (as Minister of Defence) to underline the special and strategic nature of the importance of bilateral relations, writing RIA News.
In addition, the Chinese Defense Minister said that “strong relations” have developed between Moscow and Beijing, which “go beyond the military-political alliances of the Cold War era, and are built on the principles of no -alignment, non-confrontation with a third person.”
Formerly Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Li Shangfu will visit Russia from April 16 to 18. During the trip, negotiations are also planned directly between Li Shanfu and Shoigu. During the meeting, the ministers are expected to discuss “the status and prospects of bilateral defense cooperation, as well as topical global and regional security issues,” the military department noted.
Li Shangfu was named China’s Defense Minister on March 12. In 2018, he was sanctioned by the United States for allegedly facilitating the transfer of Russian Su-35 military aircraft and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to China, according to the United States.
Earlier, US officials said China may consider the possibility of supplying arms to Russia amid the country’s military conflict with Ukraine. Beijing denied this information. However, according to secret Pentagon documents leaked online, it follows that China may approve the supply of lethal weapons to Moscow, writing The Washington Post. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia from March 20 to 22. During the visit, the Chinese leader also met with Vladimir Putin.
Read the Latest Ukraine War News on The Eastern Herald.
