Putin, Xi hail deeper ties as they meet for second time in 2 months

Meeting follows Russian leader’s visits to N. Korea, Vietnam as he grows ties in Asia

ASTANA President Vladimir Putin trumpeted Russia's "fully fledged partnership" with China as he met Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the second time in less than two months, highlighting Moscow's deepening embrace of Beijing.

Russo-Chinese ties "are at their best in history", Mr Putin said at a meeting on the sidelines of a security summit on July 3 in Astana, Kazakhstan. "They're built on equality, mutual benefit and respect for each other's sovereignty." Mr Xi said: "My dear friend, I am very happy at our new meeting." China and Russia should continue to strengthen strategic coordination and oppose external interference, Mr Xi also said, according to a read-out from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

He added that China supports Russia in fulfilling its duties as the rotating chair of Brics, uniting the Global South nations, preventing a "new Cold War", and opposing "illegal unilateral sanctions and hegemony".

On Ukraine, Mr Xi reiterated that China is "always on the right side of history" and is willing to make positive efforts to promote peace talks and political resolution.