Putin, Xi praise Russia-China relations in virtual summit

By DASHA LITVINOVA
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MOSCOW (AP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a phone call to discuss bilateral relations and international issues. The summit comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and the West as a Russian military buildup near the Ukrainian border is raising fears of a possible invasion. In their opening remarks, Putin and Xi praised the relationship between Russia and China, in which the Russian leader declared them “a prime example of interstate cooperation in the 21st century”. Xi said that the Russian president “strongly supports China’s efforts to protect important national interests and resolutely opposes efforts to forge relations between our countries.” The Chinese leader said he appreciated that very much.