In Beijing, high-level discussions unfolded between Russia and China as Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and Deputy Foreign Minister Dan Li engaged in a thorough exchange about the trajectory of bilateral ties, as well as the evolving roles of the European Union and NATO on the regional and global stage. The conversations, described by the Russian Foreign Ministry as a defined and confidential dialogue, focused on the current state of affairs in Europe and the broader geopolitical landscape that shapes every major diplomatic decision today. The participants approached the talks with a shared interest in understanding how Western alliance dynamics and regional security patterns interact with their own strategic priorities and regional interests.
The official summary highlighted a two-way, expansive dialogue on evolving European security, including how relations with the European Union and NATO influence regional stability and military modernization. The discussions also encompassed a careful assessment of current events and potential developments across Europe, with attention paid to how alliance activities and policy shifts might affect regional actors, balance of power, and crisis management mechanisms. The tone remained constructive, emphasizing a desire for clarity, predictability, and channels for ongoing communication between Moscow and Beijing while acknowledging differing perspectives on security guarantees and norms governing international relations.
Participants also addressed broader international and regional agendas, exploring cooperative approaches to shared challenges and the potential for greater alignment on pressing global issues. The dialogue underscored an awareness that regional hotspots and strategic corridors inevitably draw the attention of major powers, and that steady, principled engagement remains essential to managing risk, avoiding miscalculations, and fostering stable, rule-based interactions in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian theaters.
Former Deputy Foreign Minister Grushko commented on the evolving risk landscape, noting that the possibility of military confrontation involving NATO is a concern that many parties acknowledge. He pointed to the Baltic region as a focal point where NATO expansion has been associated with heightened activity and a reorientation of regional defense postures. The assessment suggested that, as alliance members extend their military presence and capability development in neighbouring areas, the region could see increased interoperability efforts, more frequent exercises, and heightened readiness across different security domains. The remarks reflected a broader view that regional security arrangements must balance deterrence with dialogue to reduce the chance of escalation while preserving strategic autonomy and national security objectives for all involved.