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China deepens ties with Russia

Putin delivers warning to West over backing of Ukraine; Biden says NATO will not be divided
Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with China's Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi during a meeting in Moscow on Wednesday. — Reuters
Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with China's Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi during a meeting in Moscow on Wednesday. — Reuters
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WARSAW/MOSCOW: China pledged to deepen cooperation with Russia on Wednesday as US President Joe Biden prepared to meet leaders of Nato's eastern flank - highlighting geopolitical tensions ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's attack of Ukraine.


Russia is due to begin military exercises with China in South Africa on Friday and has sent a flagship frigate equipped with new generation hypersonic cruise missiles. A Russian officer said on Wednesday Russia would fire artillery, but not the missiles, whose speed makes them difficult to shoot down.


Making the highest level visit to Russia by a Chinese official since the countries signed a "no limits" partnership weeks before the attack, China's top diplomat Wang Li told President Vladimir Putin that Beijing was ready to enhance ties.


A time of crisis required Russia and China "to continuously deepen our comprehensive strategic partnership", Wang said.


Putin said he was looking forward to a visit to Moscow by Chinese President Xi Jinping and a deeper partnership.


Xi is expected to make a "peace speech" on Friday.


Putin has responded to the lack of progress in Ukraine with veiled threats to use nuclear weapons. He suspended a nuclear arms control treaty on Tuesday, accusing Washington of turning the war into a global conflict by arming Ukraine.


Russia's foreign and defence ministries said later Moscow would continue abiding by the restrictions outlined in New Start (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) on the number of nuclear warheads it could have deployed and the number of nuclear missile carriers. Russia's lower house of parliament rubber-stamped the suspension of the treaty on Wednesday.


Tension over Ukraine had already halted inspections under the treaty, which calls for the United States and Russia to let each other check their nuclear arsenals.


Biden, who underlined his support for Kyiv in a surprise visit to war-torn Ukraine on Monday, then rallied Nato allies in Poland, saying the attack had tested the whole world but Washington and its allies had shown they would defend democracy.


He rejected Russia's assertion that Western allies were seeking to control or destroy Russia, and accused Moscow of crimes against humanity such as targeting civilians and rape. Russia denies committing war crimes or targeting civilians.


Nato allies and other supporters have sent Ukraine tens of billions of dollars worth of arms and ammunition. Since the new year they have promised modern battle tanks, though they have yet to offer Western fighter jets sought by Kyiv.


US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Beijing against supplying weapons to Moscow, prompting anger from China.


FIGHTING


Russia suffered three major battlefield reverses in Ukraine last year but still controls nearly a fifth of the country. It has launched a massive offensive in recent weeks in eastern provinces, so far making only marginal gains despite some of the heaviest losses of the war. — Reuters


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