Russia and China are moving closer to the West in the face of growing tensions. At the meeting between President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Friday in Beijing, the signing of more than 15 contracts between the two countries is planned, Russian government official Yuri Ushakov told journalists on Wednesday.
Both countries also wanted to make efforts to create a joint financial system that could be used to overturn western sanctions. The US and European countries are threatening Russia with economic sanctions if Ukraine is attacked. China has been hit with a series of sanctions by the US, which the government in Washington justifies with unfair trade practices and violations of human rights.
As a demonstrative sign of agreement with China, Putin also wants to take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on Friday. The USA, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia have announced that they will not send government officials to Beijing. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not be present at the opening, and other European countries will also forego high-ranking representatives at the celebration. Ushakov stressed that China supports Russia’s demand for security guarantees from the United States and the NATO military alliance. In the field of economic cooperation, gas supplies to China will also be discussed. There is a possibility that a pipeline will be built via Mongolia to China.