President Vladimir Putin praised ties between the Russian and Chinese militaries, underscoring Moscow and Beijing’s strategic relationship as he met with China’s protection minister on Sunday.

Putin, who held talks with Li Shangfu, highlighted the change of intelligence in addition to joint maneuvers within the Far East and Europe, the Interfax information service reported him as saying.

Beijing has turn out to be Russia’s largest supporter for the reason that invasion of Ukraine final 12 months and the go to is the primary by a Chinese protection minister for the reason that warfare started. At the assembly with Putin, Li stated it was his first international journey since he was appointed, and was an indication of the energy of the nations’ ties, based on Interfax.

Li’s go to follows Chinese President Xi Jinping’s journey to Moscow in March. Putin stated on the time that Russia was prepared to debate Beijing’s blueprint for ending the battle in Ukraine, although no progress has been made.

Li can be resulting from meet his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, and can go to Russian navy establishments as a part of the journey, China Central Television stated in a report Friday.

The U.S. has warned China towards offering deadly assist to Moscow. Beijing in all probability accredited of its corporations offering Russia non-lethal, “dual-use” assist for the warfare, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in February. Beijing later stated it by no means sells arms to events concerned in a battle.