Overview

• Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu visited Moscow and applauded Russia's military cooperation with China.
• Li and Putin discussed intensifying joint military exercises and drills between Chinese and Russian forces in Europe and Asia.
• Western officials fear China may provide lethal military aid and equipment to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, though there is no evidence yet of such transfers.
• China has aligned its foreign policy closely with Russia's to counter Western influence, refusing to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine.
• China's relations with the West hang in the balance as American and European leaders pressure China over its ties with Russia.