<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">China's top diplomat Wang Yi is visiting Russia as it seeks continued support for its war on Ukraine.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Any bid to end the war must take into account Moscow's interests, Mr Wang and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov were quoted as saying after a meeting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A close ally of Moscow, Beijing is accused of supporting Russia indirectly during the war, which it denies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Russian media said Mr Wang's trip would also pave the way for President Vladimir Putin's visit to China soon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This comes after Mr Putin met North Korea's Kim Jong Un amid US fears they could strike an arms deal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">China's foreign ministry said Mr Wang is in Russia for four days for "strategic security consultations".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After Monday's talks between Mr Wang and Mr Lavrov, the Russian foreign ministry said they discussed the Ukraine war "and noted the futility of attempts to settle the crisis without taking account of Russia's interests and, more particularly, its participation".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">China has put out its own Ukraine peace plan, unveiled during a whirlwind of diplomacy undertaken by Mr Wang earlier this year when he last visited Moscow and met Mr Putin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While China is keen on seeing an end to the Ukraine war so it can repair its relations with Europe, it also wants to "separate that outcome from determining who is to blame for the war", since it is sympathetic to Russia, noted Rorry Daniels, managing director of the Asia Society Policy Institute.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">China has been accused by the US of aiding Russia economically and supplying key technology since the war began.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A US intelligence report released in July said Beijing is "pursuing a variety of economic support mechanisms for Russia that mitigate both the impact of Western sanctions and export controls".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It cited China's increased purchases of Russian energy exports, the increased use of its currency in transactions with Russia, and the "probable" supply of dual technology - items which could be deployed for both civilian and military purposes such as drones - for use in Ukraine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">China has consistently denied such allegations and insists it maintains an objective position on the war.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Inviting Putin to China is a way to show support for Russia but that support must also be framed as a legitimate attempt to get Russia to the negotiating table so that China doesn't worsen its position with the Europeans," said Ms Daniels.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier this month Mr Putin said he expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, but did not say when.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some observers believe he is likely to attend the Belt and Road Forum next month.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He has not travelled abroad since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March over war crimes in Ukraine. Mr Putin last ventured onto foreign soil in December 2022 when he visited Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr Wang's visit comes as Mr Kim wrapped up his highly controversial visit to Russia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Korean Central News Agency said on Monday. He is heading home with presents including a Russian-made rifle, a cosmonaut's glove, a bulletproof vest, a fur hat and military drones, according to Russian media.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The US alleged Mr Kim's visit was to discuss the selling of North Korean arms to Russia. Moscow is thought to be facing a shortage of weapons and ammunition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Russia and North Korea have said they talked about "military co-operation" and aid for Pyongyang's satellite programme. BBC</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>