Russia-China Ties at ‘Unprecedented High’ Due to Western Pressure

Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin expects trade between Russia and China to hit a record $200 billion this year

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Wednesday that cooperation between Russia and China has reached an “unprecedented high” due to pressure both nations are facing from the West.

“Today, relations between Russia and China are at an unprecedented high level,” Mishustin said in talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.

“They are characterized by mutual respect of each other’s interests, the desire to jointly respond to challenges, which is associated with increased turbulence in the international arena and the pattern of sensational pressure from the collective West,” Mishustin.

During Mishustin’s visit, Russian and Chinese officials signed agreements to boost cooperation on trade and sports. Trade between the two nations has soared in recent years and has spiked even more after the US and its allies began imposing energy sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

As a result of the US-led sanctions blitz, China is now Russia’s top energy customer. Russian energy sales to China are expected to rise by 40% in 2023 compared with 2022.

A day earlier, Mishustin spoke at a forum in Shanghai and said overall trade between Russia and China would hit a record high of $200 billion in 2023, up from $190 billion in 2022.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.