Putin to visit Beijing soon? Lavrov's China visit lays groundwork as the two countries defy West

New Delhi

Hours after Chinese leader Xi Jinping met top Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, China on Wednesday (April 10) vowed that it would not accept "criticism or pressure" over its ties with Russia. 

Washington had warned that it would hold Beijing responsible if Moscow made gains in Ukraine.

"China and Russia have the right to engage in normal economic and trade cooperation," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, adding: "This kind of cooperation should not be interfered with... China also does not accept criticism or pressure".

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Lavrov is on a two-day visit to China. This is his first high-accord visit abroad after Russian President Vladimir Putin was elected Russian president for an unprecedented fifth term last month. 

Lavrov also met with Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi earlier on Tuesday (April 9).

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Russian President Putin, shortly after winning the elections, suggested that he was considering China for his first visit overseas, in another sign of deepening Moscow-Beijing ties. 

Putin has deployed Russian ties with China to partly escape the crippling nature of Western economic sanctions imposed on Russia after Moscow launched a military offensive on Ukraine in February 2022.

The Kremlin on Tuesday (April 9) confirmed that such a visit was "in the works", saying Lavrov's trip could be viewed as "preparations for upcoming interaction at the highest level", state-run news agency Tass reported. 

During his meeting with Lavrov, Xi pledged to strengthen communication with Russia and said Beijing supports Moscow in "maintaining social security and stability", according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. 

Lavrov said "consolidating and enhancing" relations with China was the "priority of Russia’s foreign policy", according to Chinese state media.

Putin last visited Beijing in October 2023, for the Belt and Road Forum. 

Xi made a state visit to Moscow in March 2023 after entering his third term as Chinese president.

Xi and Putin have a history of bonhomie that has escaped the pleasant pretence of diplomatic warmth. Xi once called Putin his most "intimate friend". On Xi Jinping's birthday in 2019, Putin gifted his Chinese counterpart a box of ice cream, in a show of bonhomie not much seen among global strongmen leaders.

(With inputs from agencies)