China, Russia discuss Ukraine as West slams North Korean troops

China and Russia discuss Ukraine crisis amid tensions with North Korea, as US and South Korea express concerns.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi discussed the Ukraine crisis with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister in Beijing on Wednesday (October 30, 2024), the Foreign Ministry said, as Western leaders have condemned Moscow's deepening ties with North Korea.

Mr. Wang told Andrey Rudenko that China's relationship with Russia was "inevitable" and "strong", adding it was "not affected by the changing international situation, and is not directed at or affected by third parties", according to a statement.

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Tensions have escalated in recent weeks as the United States and South Korea have slammed the apparent presence of North Korean troops in Russia.

And Wednesday's meeting between Wang and Rudenko came as North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui was due to meet with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

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South Korea, NATO and the United States claim thousands of North Korean troops are training in Russia — which Moscow and Pyongyang deny.