Russia, China agree to expand security ties

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV
Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — A top Russian security official says the Kremlin considers beefing up ties with Beijing as a top policy goal. Nikolai Patrushev is secretary of the national Security Council chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a meeting in China with a top Communist Party official, Patrushev said that “in the current conditions, our countries must show even greater readiness for mutual support and development of cooperation.” Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week in Uzbekistan, their first encounter since the Russian leader sent troops into Ukraine in late February. A Chinese government statement issued after Patrushev’s meeting on Monday didn’t mention Ukraine but said Xi promised “strong support” for Russia’s “core interests.”