Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Beijing on Monday. There he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for talks. The trip comes ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to China. Lavrov should then travel to North Korea to prepare for a visit to Putin there as well.
Against the backdrop of massive Western sanctions resulting from Russia’s offensive against Ukraine, Moscow is currently seeking to strengthen economic and military ties with Beijing. Relations between Russia and China are currently “on the rise,” Lavrov said at the meeting. The Russian head of state is expected at the third Silk Road summit on Tuesday. China is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its controversial infrastructure project.
Putin invited to Pyongyang
Lavrov will travel to North Korea on Wednesday and Thursday at the invitation of the local leadership. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced this on Monday. The Russian chief diplomat is also expected to prepare for a trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang. The Kremlin had confirmed that Putin had been invited for a state visit to North Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited Russia in September. The two neighboring countries have recently significantly intensified their cooperation. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also recently visited North Korea.
Weapons for the war in Ukraine?
North Korea has been internationally criticized for supplying weapons for Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The country has delivered more than a thousand containers of military equipment and ammunition to Russia, the White House said on Friday. There has been no confirmation of this from the Russian or North Korean side.
Source: Krone
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