Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during his visit to Beijing, today had talks with his Chinese counterpart, mainly for Ukraine and “relations with the United States”, according to Moscow.

Sergei Lavrov and Wang “discussed relations with the United States and the prospects for the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Russian official was in the Chinese capital today following a formal visit to North Korea the previous days. Lavrov is to attend a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in China.

“Emphasis was placed on the importance of strengthening close coordination between the two countries on the international stage, including the United Nations and their Security Council, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS ‘organization, the group of 20 strongest and emerging economies on the planet (G20) and the APC.

China and Russia set up a “no -limits” partnership in February 2022, when Putin visited Beijing, a few days before sending tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine. Putin has occasionally described China as a “ally”.

China, a diplomatic and economic ally of Russia, never condemned Moscow’s attack on Ukraine, which Russia has continued since February 2022, nor called for the departure of Russian troops.

Beijing, however, is regularly in favor of the cessation of hostilities, while accusing Western countries of supplying the conflict by equipping the Ukrainian army to repel Russian forces.

China is officially presented as neutral, but many of the Kiev allies believe it provides decisive support to Russia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Sergei Lavrov and Wang YE have discussed other “hot issues” today, such as “Israel -Iran and the situation on the Korean peninsula”.

The US considers China as their largest competitor and Russia as the biggest threat.