Kremlin refutes reports about Xi Jinping's denial to visit Russia at Putin's request

On July 5, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov anunced that media reports about Chinese President Xi Jinping's alleged refusal to visit Russia are false. During a press conference, Peskov ded that all scheduled trips will take place w that COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed in China. Chinese leer allegedly declined Russian President Vlimir Putin's invitation to visit Moscow earlier in day because of COVID-19 pandemic, according to media reports.

 Kremlin spokesman told reporters, ". This is t so. This is completely untrue. fact is that certain COVID-19 restrictions continue to exist in China, and this is absolutely rmal, and this should be treated with understanding. Putin has a valid invitation to visit China, and Xi Jinping — to visit Russia. And as weakening of se restrictions allows, all visits will, certainly, take place."

While NATO does t regard China as an versary, 30-nation alliance's concern is growing about Beijing's closer ties with Russia and its President Vlimir Putin in aftermath of invasion of Ukraine. At a NATO summit on June 28, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said alliance needed to eng with Beijing on issues such as climate change, and he ackwledged that China will soon be world's largest ecomy.

Stoltenberg disappointed that China has t been able to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine

However, NATO chief ded, "But we are disappointed by fact that China has t been able to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine, that China is spreing many of false narratives about NATO, West, and also that China and Russia are more close w than y have ever been before."

remarks came after China and Russia presented a manifesto on first day of Winter Olympics on February 4 that was most detailed and assertive statement of Russian and Chinese resolve to work toger to build a new international order based on ir respective views on human rights and democracy. In document, China joined Russia in opposing NATO enlargement and backed its demand for Western security guarantees.

(With ncy inputs)