Beijing: In a significant diplomatic development, China’s newly-appointed Defense Minister, Wei Fenghe, publicly affirmed Beijing’s support for Russia’s special operation in Ukraine during a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu.
This declaration represents the first overt backing of Russia by China in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
“We will support you on the Ukrainian issue, even if the US and Europe continue to exert pressure on China, even if military cooperation between China and the EU suffers,” Wei Fenghe stated, as reported by French media outlet Le Figaro, according to Ura News.
Le Figaro highlighted that China had not previously voiced its support for Russia in the Ukrainian conflict on a public platform. Notably, China has been one of the few nations to maintain its alignment with Russia following the commencement of the special operation in Ukraine.
Since the initiation of Russia’s invasion in 2022, President Putin has sought alternative allies. This quest has resulted in closer collaboration with North Korea, a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia, and a notable increase in Russia’s engagement in African affairs.
