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President Vladimir Putin has praised China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and advocated for global investments in Russia’s Northern Sea Route.

During a recent appearance, which marked his second known international visit post the Ukraine war, Putin acknowledged the potential of Russia to contribute to China’s modern take on the ancient Silk Road. He referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as his “dear friend” and recognized the BRI’s potential in bridging global divides.

However, his speech was met with a walkout by some European attendees, including ex-French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. Putin emphasized, “Russia and China, like most countries of the world, share the desire for equal, mutually beneficial cooperation… while respecting the diversity of civilization and the right of each State to its own development model.”

Highlighting Russia’s extensive transport infrastructure, especially the Northern Sea Route stretching from Murmansk to the Bering Strait, Putin said, “Russia does not just offer its partners to actively use its transit potential… we invite interested states to participate directly in its development.”

Accompanying Putin was a high-ranking delegation from Moscow, comprising officials like Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander Novak and Dmitry Chernyshenko, among others.

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