MojNews-Vladimir Putin arrived in China for consultations with his Chinese counterpart. 

The Russian leader made his comments during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip is Putin’s first foreign visit since he was sworn in for his fifth presidential term this month.

“It is absolutely crucial that the Russian-Chinese relations are not ad hoc contacts and are not aimed against anyone,” Putin said.

“Our cooperation in world affairs is one of the main stabilizing factors on the international stage. Together, we defend the principles of fairness and the democratic world order based on the multipolar realities and international law.”

Putin’s visit takes place amid the unprecedented tensions between Russia and China on one side and NATO on the other, with the Western government accusing Moscow and Beijing of aggression and coercion.

Both Moscow and Beijing are facing increasing pressure from the West over the conflict in Ukraine and China’s activities in the Indo Pacific. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently described China as “the main country that is enabling Russia to conduct its war of aggression.”

China has refused to blame Russia for the Ukraine crisis and instead argued that the continuing expansion of NATO and Washington’s “Cold-War mentality” are the root causes of the current escalation.

China has repeatedly rejected Western pressure to join the sanctions against Russia, calling them unilateral and illegitimate. “Fueling the flames while shifting blame to others, this is just hypocritical and highly irresponsible,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said last month.

In a statement on Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry further stressed that good relations with Moscow are “conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world at large.”