MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin denied the existence of a military alliance between China and Russia. Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping had met earlier in the week for a summit in Moscow, where they pledged closer ties amidst Russia’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
Interfax quoted Putin as saying, “Russia is not creating any military alliance with China. Yes, China and Russia have cooperation in the sphere of military-technical interaction. We are not hiding this. Everything is transparent, there is nothing secret.”
Putin went on to accuse Western powers, specifically the United States and NATO, of attempting to form new global alliances. He compared these efforts to the formation of the Axis powers in World War II, comprised of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
“That is why analysts are talking about the Western nations starting to build a new axis similar to the one created in the 1930s by the fascist regimes of Italy and Germany and militarist Japan,” Putin stated.
Military cooperation between Russia and China
The remarks come amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, with Russia claiming to be engaged in a “special military operation” in the region.
Western powers have imposed economic sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine, with the US and NATO expressing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Despite Putin’s denial of a military alliance with China, the two countries have been increasing their military cooperation in recent years, including joint military exercises and the sale of advanced weapons systems.
