Met Putin at "unusual small table" in Moscow

Russia 

China: Wishing Putin all the best  

 

Of: 

 

Amanda Hällsten 

 

Published: Today 12.22  

 

Updated: Less than 2 hours ago 

 

NEWS  

 

China and Russia will strengthen their ties.  

 

At an unusually small table, Putin and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi met on Wednesday. 

 

- We have reached new milestones, says Putin.  

 

The top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi has previously been foreign minister in China and is described as "exceptionally intelligent". Among other things, he became known for a sly toilet coup between the US and North Korea, in connection with North Korea wanting to discuss its nuclear program. 

 

Now he is out on tour in Europe, where he previously visited France and Hungary, among others.  

 

On Wednesday, he met Putin at what is described as an unusually small table in Moscow, the BBC reports.  

 

That the table was smaller than the usual, very oblong table that Putin usually holds meetings at, could be a symbol to show how close the countries are, according to the BBC. 

 

The purpose of the meeting must have been to strengthen the relationship between the countries, writes Reuters. Among other things, Wang Yi says that he expects new agreements between the countries. 

 

He also took the opportunity to greet Chinese President Xi Jinping who "wishes Putin all the best," according to the news agency. 

 

According to Putin, they must have reached a milestone during the meeting. 

  

- Russian-Chinese relations are developing as we planned in previous years. Everything is moving forward and developing, and we have reached new milestones, Putin said after the meeting, according to CNN. 

 

Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi and Putin. Photo: Anton Novoderezhkin / AP  

 

Putin: Shall stabilize the global situation 

 

Putin also says that the Russian-Chinese relationship is "very important" to stabilize the international situation. 

 

He also said the countries have "ongoing cooperation" when it comes to international affairs, while expressing Russia's gratitude to China.  

 

Wang's trip to the West has been closely monitored. China has previously claimed to be impartial in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and has so far been reluctant to condemn the Kremlin's invasion.  

 

Putin and Wang Yi greet in Moscow. Photo: Anton Novoderezhkin / AP