Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has arrived in China for a two-day official visit aimed at discussing bilateral cooperation and addressing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. During his visit scheduled from April 14-15, Lavrov is set to engage in discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, covering various aspects of cooperation between the two nations.
The agenda includes talks on bilateral cooperation, future engagements at different levels, and international collaboration, with a specific emphasis on joint efforts within organizations like the UN, BRICS, SCO, G20, and APEC. The discussions are expected to delve into several pressing topics and regional matters, including the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Middle East.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun highlighted that the visit will facilitate the exchange of views and alignment of positions between the foreign ministers of Russia and China on enhancing bilateral relations, cooperation in diverse fields, and addressing mutual international and regional concerns. This visit coincides with concerns raised by Russian officials about the potential negative impact of the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on global markets.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed apprehensions regarding the adverse effects of the US actions on international markets, emphasizing the need for clarity on the situation. The US recently announced plans to enforce a maritime blockade on vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports, following unsuccessful negotiations with Iran on critical issues, including the latter’s nuclear program.
