Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, aiming to deepen cooperation between China and Russia. The meeting focused on strengthening BRICS ties and supporting global peace. It comes as the world faces rising competition between multilateral cooperation and unilateral actions. Both countries also discussed key global issues, including the Ukraine war and future high-level talks between their leaders.
China and Russia Push for Stronger BRICS Cooperation
During the meeting, Wang Yi said China and Russia must work closely within the BRICS framework. BRICS is a group of major developing countries that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It now also includes new members such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
Wang emphasized that in a world full of fast changes, the trust and partnership between China and Russia remain strong. He noted that the guidance of Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin has helped keep their relations strong. The two nations aim to turn the agreements made by their leaders into real results in trade, development, and diplomacy.
Unilateralism vs. Multilateralism
Wang also warned about the growing global struggle between unilateralism and multilateralism. Unilateralism means one country acts alone, often ignoring the interests of others. Multilateralism means countries work together to solve global problems.
He said that BRICS has become more important in this struggle. Wang called on China and Russia to lead within BRICS. He wants them to help bring developing countries together and make BRICS more powerful in global decision-making. According to him, this would help build a fairer international system.
Russia Supports Closer Ties
Sergey Lavrov said Russia supports stronger ties with China. He stated that both sides are preparing for future high-level meetings between President Xi and President Putin. Lavrov also said that Russia and China will support each other during key events in 2025. These include the 80th anniversary of two major wars: the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War and China’s resistance against Japanese aggression.
Lavrov added that the two countries will keep working closely in all areas, from economy to defense. He highlighted that China and Russia are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and share key global responsibilities. He repeated that both countries stand for fairness, justice, and international cooperation.
Ukraine War and Russia’s Ceasefire Offer
Lavrov also updated Wang on the war in Ukraine. He said that Russia is still open to peace talks and is ready to discuss the conflict without preconditions. He stressed that the goal is to solve the deeper issues behind the war.
To show goodwill, Lavrov announced a temporary ceasefire. Russian President Putin confirmed that there will be a three-day truce starting at midnight on May 8. This is to honor the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, which marks the end of World War II in Europe. The news was reported by China’s Xinhua News Agency.
Wang explained China’s position on the Ukraine crisis. He repeated that China wants peace and supports negotiations. China has often offered to help both sides reach a peaceful solution.
Global Issues and Strategic Communication
The two foreign ministers also discussed other global issues. These included the nuclear situation in Iran and North Korea. They also talked about working together in the United Nations, the G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Lavrov and Wang agreed that China and Russia should support Brazil as it leads BRICS in 2025. They want the group to achieve even more and have a stronger voice in world affairs.
What This Means for the World
The meeting in Brazil shows that China and Russia are standing close together during a time of global uncertainty. Their cooperation under BRICS, along with shared goals in world politics, signals that they want to build an alternative to Western-led systems. By offering a ceasefire and pushing for peace in Ukraine, they are also trying to show that they care about global stability.
China and Russia believe that developing countries should have a stronger voice. With BRICS expanding and becoming more active, the group may soon play a bigger role in shaping global rules.
