Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping confirmed at their meeting today the close partnership between their countries in the energy sector and automotive industry, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
"Against the backdrop of the difficult geopolitical situation and global uncertainty, the Russian-Chinese foreign policy relationship is the most important stabilizing factor on the international stage," Putin said.
China is a key consumer of Russian raw materials such as gas and oil, the sale of which fuels Russia's military fund for its war against Ukraine, which the Kremlin started more than three years ago, DPA notes.
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, referring to the EU's plans to stop buying Russian gas by 2027, said Moscow would find other buyers. He again called Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine illegal.
The further Moscow moves away from the West, the more it relies on its strategic partnership with China, DPA reports. According to official data, the volume of bilateral trade last year rose to $245 billion.
At today's meeting, Xi said that Moscow and Beijing have deepened mutual political trust amid unprecedented global changes, Xinhua reported.
Russia, on the other hand, is an important market for Chinese cars, and after the imposition of US tariffs, China said it wanted to work with Moscow to protect the interests of both countries against "unilateralism and bullying".
China uses these terms in relation to its trade disputes with the US, DPA reports. The unilateral approach refers to Washington's strategy of prioritizing its own interests without regard for international partners and organizations.
Putin invited Xi as the chief guest at the celebrations of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. Moscow traditionally marks the anniversaries of the end of the war with a military parade on Red Square.
The weapons displays have drawn criticism, especially from the West, over the war in Ukraine.
China, on the other hand, claims to be neutral in the war. However, Beijing has faced international criticism for its support for the Kremlin after the invasion, DPA noted.
China commemorates the end of World War II in early September. Putin said he plans to visit Beijing then.