Lavrov hails Russia-China partnership as stabilizing force

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday hailed the strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing as a stabilizing force in a turbulent world, describing bilateral ties as among the most stable and resilient globally during an interview with Shanghai-based media group SMG. Speaking during President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to China, Lavrov said the relationship was built on mutual respect, economic cooperation and recognition of each country’s sovereign interests.

The partnership rests on “a very solid material foundation,” Lavrov noted, emphasizing that bilateral trade has exceeded $200 billion for several years. He also highlighted cooperation in civil nuclear energy, space exploration and advanced technology, saying China has provided technologies that help Russia overcome “artificial, illegal obstacles created by the West.”

Energy and Economic Ties

Energy supplies remain central to the relationship, with Russia serving as the leading supplier of pipeline natural gas to China and among the main providers of liquefied natural gas and coal. “We recently reached a final agreement on the construction of the major gas pipeline, Power of Siberia 2,” Lavrov said, adding that the Far Eastern Route is also under discussion.

He argued that “recent developments” had exposed what he described as the true nature of Western policy and said Russia and China increasingly needed to rely on their own resources and “fraternal solidarity.” The two countries are strengthening their technological partnership across multiple sectors, according to the Russian foreign minister.

Ukraine Conflict and Taiwan

Speaking about the war on Ukraine, Lavrov claimed Russian forces captured around 80 settlements recently, including 35 in March and April, stating that “the process is ongoing.” He drew parallels between Ukraine and Taiwan, arguing that both Moscow and Beijing oppose outside attempts to turn “compatriots” against their respective states.

Lavrov accused the Biden administration of attempting to “pump Taiwan full of weapons” while claiming the Trump administration was the only American leadership to acknowledge the “root causes” of the Ukraine conflict. He also accused European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of pressuring Washington to adopt a harder stance, noting that the United States has “somewhat lost interest and enthusiasm” in the Ukraine file.

Moscow remains open to talks with Washington and continues maintaining communication channels with US representatives, Lavrov said. “It will soon be a year since the Alaska summit. There's been no progress, not even in the behavior of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Europeans,” he added.