Relations between China and Russia do not depend on either domestic factors or global developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
"We are building our relations on the basis of friendship, mutual trust, support, equality and mutual benefit. These relations are self-sufficient and do not depend on domestic factors or current global developments," Putin stressed, TASS reports.
He added that strengthening these ties is "fully consistent with the goals of ensuring the integrated development of Russia and China and improving the well-being of the peoples of the two countries."
The two spoke after the inauguration of new US President Donald Trump last night.
Putin congratulated Trump hours before his inauguration and said he was "open to dialogue" on Ukraine to achieve "lasting peace," three years after the invasion of the country began.
Trump has previously stated that he would like to meet with Putin within the first six months of his term and that he is ready for such contacts.
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