“We are also ready to emphasise that our relations are always not directed at third countries and, of course, they are not subject to pressure from third parties, since we have a very strong foundation – from the economy, politics, and culture,” he added in a veiled reference to the United States and its Western allies.

Wang also said China was ready to deepen strategic cooperation with Russia.

Putin told Wang that cooperation between Russia and China was important to stabilise the international situation, according to the Kremlin.

He also said he was looking forward to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow, saying it would give “further impetus” to the development of ties between the two countries.

He added that the two countries had reached “new levels of cooperation”, and bilateral trade would reach the 2024 target of US$200 billion earlier than planned.

Putin and Wang also exchanged in-depth views about Ukraine, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

Wang expressed appreciation for Russia’s willingness to solve the crisis through dialogue, adding China would “uphold an objective and fair stance as always” and play a “constructive role” in finding a political settlement to the crisis.

After Putin and Wang’s meeting, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia welcomed Wang’s statement and thanked China for its “balanced position” on Ukraine.

Wang’s trip to Russia is expected to pave the way for a visit to Moscow by Xi.

Putin invited Xi for a state visit in a video call in late December but China has yet to respond publicly to the Russian president’s invitation.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Xi was preparing for a possible visit in April or May.

A year into the Ukraine war, China is under intense scrutiny over its relations with Russia, with the US suggesting that Beijing is considering supplying arms to Moscow – a claim China denies.

Before meeting Wang on Tuesday, Lavrov urged China and Russia to step up strategic joint efforts to deal with a “turbulent international situation”.

“Moscow and Beijing will continue to work together in solidarity and cooperation, firmly supporting each other in safeguarding each other’s core interests, in coordinating and cooperating in foreign policy … in very effective diplomatic coordination in the international arena,” Lavrov said, adding that Moscow and Beijing were not alone.

“Our joint work is supported and assisted by many countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia which also oppose hegemony and confrontation in international relations.

“And I believe China and Russia will continue to cooperate along this path.”

China calls for UN to investigate ‘deliberate’ Nord Stream pipeline blasts

Wang, who arrived in the Russian capital on Tuesday, said China was willing to continue to push forward its strategic partnership with Russia “no matter how the international storm may change”.

“China and Russia have always maintained our strategic determination to resolutely advocate multilateralism, firmly oppose any unilateral and bullying actions, and unswervingly safeguard our respective sovereignty, security and development interests,” Wang said.

“[We will] exchange further in-depth views on common interests and new consensus is expected to be reached,” he added, without giving details.

A Chinese foreign ministry statement said the two discussed Ukraine, with Wang calling for “peace efforts” and saying he hoped relevant parties would “overcome difficulties” and create conditions for dialogue and negotiation.

Wang also met Russian Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev and described relations between the two countries as “solid as rock”.

In a brief report on the meeting, Chinese state news agency Xinhua said the two sides “had discussions over the current international strategic situation”.

Xinhua said the pair “expressed willingness to practise genuine multilateralism, oppose all forms of unilateral bullying, and promote the democratisation of international relations and multi-polarisation of the world”.

They also agreed to oppose a cold-war mentality, bloc confrontation and ideological confrontation to ensure peace and safety in the Asia-Pacific, according to the Xinhua report, which added that the two sides also “exchanged views over Ukraine and other issues”.

China won’t arm Russia in Ukraine but don’t rule out third parties: analysts

A more detailed report from Sputnik said Wang told Patrushev that China’s ties with Russia “are mature and solid as a rock and will withstand the test of the changing international situation”.

“We are ready, together with the Russian side, in accordance with top-level agreements, to resolutely defend national interests and dignity, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas,” Wang was quoted as saying.

He was referring to an agreement struck at the end of last year by Putin and Xi to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

According to Sputnik, Wang said that in a fast-changing world, China and Russia should take “new steps in strategic cooperation”.

“In conditions of a changing international situation, it’s very important and timely to synchronise watches on the bilateral agenda and issues of the international and regional dimension,” he said.

“I believe that today we have very good opportunities to continue our close strategic interaction and contacts in defence of our common strategic interests.”

China’s stance on Ukraine conflict is based on its own interests, analysts say

Patrushev said the two neighbours needed to expand strategic coordination and cooperation in the face of growing pressure from the West.

“The bloody events unleashed by the West in Ukraine are just one example. All of this is being done against Russia and China, and to the detriment of developing nations in general,” he said, according to Sputnik.

“In the context of the campaign by the collective West to contain Russia and China, the further deepening of Russian-Chinese coordination and interaction in the international arena carries particular importance.”

03:29

US president Joe Biden pledges more weapons for Ukraine on surprise visit to Kyiv

US president Joe Biden pledges more weapons for Ukraine on surprise visit to Kyiv

Wang’s visit to Moscow comes ahead of Friday’s first anniversary of the war in Ukraine and follows stops in France, Italy, Germany and Hungary.

The White House has flagged additional sanctions on Russian elites and companies in the coming days.

Wang and Patrushev are joint chairs of the bilateral Strategic Security Consultation Mechanism, set up in 2005 for annual meetings to establish a common approach on security and other core interests and concerns.

Russian news agency Tass said Wang also told Patrushev that China would “work together with all like-minded partners” to further promote the development of the international order.

Patrushev described the expansion of Russia’s strategic partnership with China as an “unconditional priority” of Moscow’s foreign policy. He reaffirmed “unwavering support for Beijing on the issues of Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, which are used by the West to try to discredit China”, the Sputnik report said.

“Our [two] countries are in favour of building a more just world order, and welcome the rise of the number of states which choose the path of free, sovereign development based on their identity and traditions,” Patrushev said.