Russia, China discuss situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Asia-Pacific
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Russia and China affirm their common stances on various international issues such as the Olympics, security, COVID-19, and conflicts within alliances.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Guilin, China March 22, 2021 (Reuters)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi discussed the situation in various regions in the world during talks that took place on Thursday.
Wang and Lavrov discussed the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan, in addition to other international issues, in light of rising tensions nearly worldwide.
"The parties agreed on their positions on various international and regional issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan, the Korean Peninsula, as well as cooperation within the BRICS," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
The top diplomats also agreed to confront the politicization of sports, voicing support for the Beijing Olympics that will be held tomorrow following a US-led boycott of the sporting event.
The two also stressed their support for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific as well as their stance against confrontations in alliances.
"Both sides unanimously stand for ensuring peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and against any attempts to create a 'camps' of confrontation and bloc confrontation," the Chinese ministry added in its statement.
Beijing's top diplomat also called on Russia to join efforts with China on stopping the cross-border spread of COVID-19 but still ensuring the normal movement of people and goods between the two nations.
China backs Russia on indivisibility of security
China affirmed its support for Russia's position on the indivisibility of security, Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart.
Russia told Beijing about the latest developments in Russia's relations with Washington and Brussels, to which China responded by emphasizing the principled position of the indivisibility of security.
China understands and supports this position, the ministry said in light of Western pressures on Moscow as tensions over Ukraine soar.
NATO has been accusing Moscow of planning to invade Ukraine, alleging that the Kremlin has amassed 100,000 soldiers along Ukraine's borders.
Kyiv and Moscow have denied the western fearmongering, saying there was no such invasion anywhere on their radars.
Moscow has been demanding a written commitment that Ukraine would never be able to join NATO and that the alliance would not place any strategic military equipment in certain countries in the region surrounding Russia.
