BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Tuesday during their meeting in Moscow that their nations will further strengthen economic cooperation in areas including natural gas and currency trading. China is offering support to Russia, which is suffering from U.S. and European sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, but differing agendas could also be discerned between the two nations.
In a joint economic statement, China and Russia set forth eight items including (1) expanding the scale of trade and optimizing the trade framework, (2) improving financial cooperation, (3) consolidating their energy partnership, and (4) promoting exchanges and cooperation in the field of technology.
At a press conference after signing the agreement, Putin expressed confidence, saying: "Trade and economic cooperation remain a priority for us ... our two countries have been effective in working together to expand mutual trade and maintain this momentum."
