Russia-China Relations Show Resistance to External Pressure, Kremlin Aide Says
© Sputnik . Vladimir Astapkovich
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On October 17-18, China will host the Third Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum under the theme "High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity." Russian leader Vladimir Putin plans to attend the forum.
Relations between Russia and China are of strategic nature and demonstration resistance to any external pressure, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Monday.
"I would like to note that our relations are truly comprehensive, partnership, strategic in nature, and as both our [Russian] president [Vladimir Putin] and chairman [Chinese President Xi Jinping] have repeatedly noted, these relations are at an unprecedented high level. These relations demonstrate resilience to external pressure, and next year we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries," Ushakov told reporters.
The Kremlin aide also called the position of Russia and China a "stabilizing factor in international affairs" as the countries have close stances on key foreign policy issues.
Russia "highly appreciates" China’s "balanced position" on Ukraine as Beijing understands the current situation and tries to find ways to resolve it, Ushakov added.
Belt and Road Forum
Regarding the Belt and Road Forum in China, which kicks off the next day, the advisor noted that President Putin will hold negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the event.
The negotiations between the leaders will take place on Wednesday in two stages — in a broad and in a narrow format, the official said, noting that the presidents can also hold face-to-face talks to discuss the most sensitive issues.
During the talks in a broad format, the Russian delegation will include Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, deputy prime ministers Alexander Novak and Dmitry Chernyshenko, Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the official said, adding that there will also by business representatives.
"After this meeting in an expanded format, negotiations will take place in a narrow format, in the format of a working breakfast," Ushakov said, adding that he, Lavrov and Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov will partake in it.
The Kremlin aide added that Putin will deliver a speech at the opening of the Forum.
"We are grateful to the Chinese leadership for the invitation to this forum. Moreover, our president is invited as the main guest and will speak at the opening of the forum immediately after President Xi Jinping," Ushakov stressed, adding that Moscow supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative as it "fits well" with Russia’s own initiative to create a large Eurasian space.
Putin also will hold a press conference following his visit to China, Ushakov added.
