Janice R. Andrews
Russia said on Wednesday that it might “combine potential” with China if the US continues to pose a major threat. Moscow, on the other hand, made it clear that its strategic relationship with Beijing is not aimed at any other country and will stay defensive.
At a weekly meeting, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, talked about claims that the U.S. might put missiles in Japan. According to a story in the Japan Times, the US wants to send Typhon mid-range missile systems to Japan. Zakharova said, “Moscow and Beijing will respond to ‘double containment’ by the US with ‘double counteraction.”
Zakharova said that both Russia and China would respond to these increased rocket threats, and she warned that their reaction would go beyond political actions. She also said, “Their response will not be political at all,” which made it sound like military choices might be on the table.
Even though Zakharova said that Russia and China’s relationship is defensive, she made it clear that it is not aimed at other countries. “Our relations are not directed against third countries,” she stated. On the other hand, she made it clear that Russia and China could work together if they were faced with an aggressive strategy from a shared enemy. “Why don’t we combine our potential and give an appropriate rebuff?” she asked me.
Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping signed a “no limits” partnership deal in 2022. This made it easier for the two countries to work together. At the beginning of the year, they promised to strengthen their “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.” Russia and China have not yet made an official armed alliance, but Putin recently said that they are “allies in every sense of the word.”
Russia and China are already working together more on their militaries. They are doing joint training, including navy drills that started earlier this week. Putin told the U.S. not to build up its military power in the Asia-Pacific area when these drills began.
