Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministers discuss the situation in Ukraine
Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Quin Gang discussed the situation in Ukraine during a meeting in the Uzbek city of Samarkand on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"The sides exchanged assessments of the situation in Ukraine," the Russian diplomacy said in a note, adding that the ministers also "highly valued the current state of bilateral relations", which they described as "comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction".
The meeting, described by the Foreign Ministry as "constructive", took place during the ministerial conference of Afghanistan's neighbours, which also includes representatives from Iran and Pakistan.
"Issues linked to the implementation of the agreements reached during the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Chinese leader's state visit to Russia on March 20-21 this year were discussed," it said.
? FM Lavrov: The results of President Xi’s visit to the Russian Federation less than a month ago are yet another confirmation of good prospects inherent in our strategic collaboration and comprehensive partnership ????
? https://t.co/CKTijO05iH pic.twitter.com/pLkHs4LKXm— MFA Russia ?? (@mfa_russia) April 13, 2023
In addition, the heads of Russian and Chinese diplomacy discussed "a number of current issues on the regional and international agenda, including the situation in Afghanistan and Central Asia, as well as the integration processes in the Eurasian space".
Lavrov and Quin Gang "reaffirmed the readiness to increase interaction and coordination within the framework of multilateral formats in which both countries participate, including the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the BRICS countries and the synchronisation of integration processes on the Eurasian continent".
"The parties emphasised the high degree of closeness and coincidence of positions on all the issues discussed. The unequivocal rejection of attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, imposition of unilateral approaches by means of blackmail and threats was expressed," the Foreign Ministry added.
