Russia stated on Wednesday that its relationship with China was not intended to target third nations, but the two powers may "combine potential" if confronted with a threat from the United States.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said when questioned about the possibility of US missiles being deployed in Japan that "I would like to remind you that Moscow and Beijing will respond to 'double containment' by the United States with 'double counteraction."

On September 7, the Japan Times reported that the US had indicated interest in deploying a Typhon mid-range missile system to Japan for collaborative military drills.

In her weekly briefing, the spokeswoman told reporters that "It is clear that both Russia and China will react to the emergence of additional and very significant missile threats, and their reaction will be far from being political, which has also been repeatedly confirmed by the two countries."

Russia and China's partnership was not aggressive in its intent, according to Zakharova, who emphasized a "defensive position," rather than an "initiative to target other countries."

"But if an aggressive policy of attack is being implemented against us from one center, why don't we combine our potential and give an appropriate rebuff?"

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping inked a "no limits" collaboration agreement in 2022, less than three weeks before Putin ordered troops into Ukraine. In May of this year, they decided to strengthen their "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation" for a new age.

Last week, Putin hailed them as "allies in every sense of the word," the two nations have jointly conducted military exercises, including naval operations that began on Tuesday. Putin, who oversaw the drills' beginning, warned the US against attempting to outgun Russia by increasing military force in the Asia-Pacific area.

US 'extremely concerned' over Nicaragua, China, Russia relations

Last week, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Eric Jacobstein divulged that the cooperation between Nicaragua, China, and Russia has been deemed "extremely concerning" by the United States.

"This is extremely concerning, the collaboration between [Nicaragua] and Russia and PRC [People's Republic of China]," Jacobstein said on Thursday, adding that the trilateral relations remain a concern for Washington.

In June, Nicaraguan investment adviser Laureano Ortega announced that Nicaragua aims to join the BRICS collective, and is in discussions with BRICS member countries regarding potential membership.

Moreover, the director of the Latin America Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Shchetinin, relayed to Sputnik back in June that de-dollarization is being discussed in trade between Russia and several Latin American countries, including Nicaragua. 

On Thursday, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that the United States had facilitated the release of 135 individuals considered political prisoners in Nicaragua on humanitarian grounds.

Jacobstein noted that these individuals are currently in Guatemala and have the option to decide their next destination, including the possibility of relocating to the United States.