Russia Will Strengthen Economic Ties, Cooperate on Technology With China: Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the end of a joint press conference following their meeting in Sochi, Russia, on May 13, 2019. Pavel Golovkin/AFP via Getty Images

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his country will focus on strengthening ties with China, saying the two neighboring countries have common interests and can make technological advances together.

“Now that the West has taken the position of a ‘dictator,’ our economic ties with China will grow even faster,” Lavrov said, according to a transcript published by Russia’s Foreign Ministry on May 23.