China backs Russia's proposals on security guarantees in Europe

The text of the document appeared on the Kremlin website.

"The Chinese side treats with understanding and supports the proposals put forward by the Russian Federation on the formation of long-term legally binding security guarantees in Europe", - Interfax quoted the statement as saying.

The essence of the proposals is that the United States should abandon the deployment of ground-based intermediate and shorter-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. If this does not happen, or if the Americans transfer these missiles to their allies, then such a situation will lead to “an increase in tension and distrust”, as well as increase “risks to international and regional security”, provoke “a weakening of the international system of non-proliferation and arms control and undermine the global strategic stability".

Earlier it became known that the United States and NATO rejected the proposals of the Russian Federation: negotiations on security guarantees on January 10 and 12 ended in failure for the Russian Foreign Ministry, followed by the collapse of the ruble and a sharp drop in the share price of Russian enterprises on the stock exchange.

China and Russia have reacted with concern to the creation of a new defense alliance between the United States, Great Britain and Australia - AUKUS. The states called on the participants of the new alliance not to violate their obligations on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The announcement of China's support for Russian initiatives appeared simultaneously with the start of a one-day visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China, where the solemn opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games will begin at 15.00 Moscow time.

Earlier it was announced that Russia and China "took another step" in organizing supplies to China from the Russian Far East. Putin announced this at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“We will continue to make efforts together with you and together outline a plan for the development of Chinese-Russian relations in a new historical period, strive to transform trust between our countries into practical cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples”, - the Chinese President said.