In the face of strained relations between East and West, Russia is depending on China more than ever to help establish an equal playing field between global powers, one of Moscow’s most senior envoys has revealed.
Speaking as part of an interview with RIA Novosti on Friday, Russia’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, set out his view on his country’s growing standoff with the US and some of its allies in Europe.
“Our Western partners can no longer ignore our concerns, if, of course, they are really interested in peace and stability in the world as a whole and, in particular, in Europe,” he argued.
According to Polyansky, Russia is “counting on China’s support, since it is our closest neighbor and our strategic partner.” He went on, adding that Beijing and Moscow enjoy an “all-weather” relationship, which allows the two to have dialogue “on the most complex international issues, as well as other matters, and find common ground.”
“As the outcome of the talks between the presidents of Russia and China on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing highlights, our Chinese partners fully understand and share our concerns and support our position on European security issues,” the envoy noted.
His remarks come after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping issued a joint call for NATO to renounce any plans of enlargement and abandon its ‘Cold War’ mentality following a meeting between the two leaders.