Putin calls for closer ties between Russia and China

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow and Beijing should increase defensive cooperation regarding military technology and joint exercises. Putin’s remarks came during a meeting with Gen. Zhang Youxia, China’s second-ranking military official. Cooperation between the two countries would help stabilize international situations and ensure the security of Russia and China, Putin said, and they do not mean to build a Cold War-style military alliance. Zhang said Wednesday that Russia and China “invariably support each other” on central issues.

What’s the current relationship between China and Russia? Last year, Beijing defined its connection to Russia as a “no-limits” friendship. Despite projecting itself as neutral in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, China has denounced sanctions that Western countries have placed on Moscow. Meanwhile, Moscow has consistently supported Beijing in its claims to the self-governing island of Taiwan and related issues.

Dig deeper: Read R. Albert Mohler Jr.’s column in WORLD Opinions on the new “axis of evil” threatening Western civilizations.