The Wall Street Journal said on Monday that Russia and China will initiate naval drills from 21 December to 27 December in the waters of the East China Sea, as per statements issued by the Russian Ministry of Defense. 

The report states that the drills are intended to bolster the relations between the two countries given the context in which the West isolated Russia. 

But considering the defiance of the Global South in abiding by sanctions against Russia, it is clear that Russia is not isolated, and considering that these drills have been happening on a yearly basis since 2012, there is really nothing new about the headlines. 

The Russian Ministry of Defense said on Monday that a detachment of Russian Pacific Fleet ships left the port of Vladivostok to participate in the Russian-Chinese exercise.

The goal is to strengthen naval cooperation between Russia and China and to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Russian Pacific Fleet will be represented by the Varyag missile cruiser, the Pacific Fleet’s flagship, as well as by the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate and Project 20380 corvettes Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and the Sovershenny.

1/ #China #Russia

Detachment of Pacific Fleet warships puts to sea to participate in joint Russian-Chinese Sea Cooperation 2022 naval exercises

The maneuvers will take place from December 21 to 27 in the waters of the East China Sea pic.twitter.com/kwJoezExt8

— David Kime (@CyberRealms1) December 19, 2022

"The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy will send two destroyers, two patrol ships, an integrated supply ship and a diesel submarine to take part in the exercise," the Russian Defense Ministry added.

The WSJ report states that the announcement came as Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to meet with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on Monday, signaling that Moscow is "trying" to draw Belarus into the conflict in Ukraine.

During their talks, the two heads of state stressed they entertained good bilateral relations and mainly discussed expanding industrial cooperation, including military-technical cooperation.

"There is an issue related to military-technical cooperation. This is not only mutual supplies of some kind, but, in my opinion, what is extremely important, it is joint work, development and cooperation in this area, including the development of high-tech industries," Putin said upon meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk.

The Russian President added that the same applies to cooperation in space.

"It is the same for the space sphere. We have relevant plans," Putin added.

📝🇷🇺🇧🇾Negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko are underway.

Statements of the President of the Russian Federation:

- We must be satisfied with the way our relationship is developing.

- Belarus is not only a good neighbor, but also an ally, pic.twitter.com/Vjh5ZTwTA7

— 🌐World News 24 🌍🌎🌏 (@DailyWorld24) December 19, 2022

On his part, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said, "Strengthening Belarusian-Russian ties has become a natural response to the changing situation in the world, in which we are constantly tested and checked for strength. I believe that, despite some rough edges, we still find effective responses to various challenges and threats."

Earlier today, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described as "stupid and unfounded" reports that Putin was traveling to Belarus to force Minsk to participate in Moscow's special military operation.

During the talks between the two heads of state, there was no mention whatsoever of Minsk joining the Kremlin in its special operation.

🇷🇺🇧🇾Russian servicemen, who are part of the regional group of troops, continue the course of intensive combat training at the training grounds of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus. pic.twitter.com/irqthcqA3o

— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) December 19, 2022

Over the past few months, NATO has been increasing its presence in the eastern flank.

Just two days ago, Estonia's Defense Ministry announced that a US infantry company arrived at Taara base in Võru this week as part of a deployment to train and serve with the Second Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) and enhance the presence of rotational US forces in the Baltic region. 

Read more: NATO conducts drills in Poland simulating confrontation with Russia