China’s Xi Tells Putin Ready to ‘Expand’ Ties

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands during a signing ceremony following their talks in Beijing on May 16, 2024. (Sputnik/AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands during a signing ceremony following their talks in Beijing on May 16, 2024. (Sputnik/AFP)
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China’s Xi Tells Putin Ready to ‘Expand’ Ties

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands during a signing ceremony following their talks in Beijing on May 16, 2024. (Sputnik/AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands during a signing ceremony following their talks in Beijing on May 16, 2024. (Sputnik/AFP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin he was ready to "expand" cooperation, as the two leaders exchanged congratulations on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, state media said.

Xi said China was "ready to join Putin to constantly expand all-round pragmatic cooperation between (our) two countries", state news agency Xinhua said.

"Permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation," Xi told Putin, according to Xinhua.

Putin has looked to the Chinese leader for support since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with the allies boosting trade to record highs as Moscow faces heavy economic sanctions from the West.

Moscow and Beijing both rail against "Western hegemony", particularly what they see as US domination of global affairs, and declared a "no limits" partnership shortly before Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine.

Xi is set to attend a meeting of the BRICS countries in the southwestern Russian city of Kazan this month, where he is expected to meet Putin.

On Wednesday, Xi also hailed his and Putin's efforts to deepen ties in recent years "in the face of major changes unseen in a century".

"Political mutual trust between the two sides has continued to deepen, practical cooperation has achieved remarkable results," he said.



Russian Drone Attack Damages Chornobyl Nuclear Plant’s Shelter, Zelenskiy Says

 A memorial to victims and the original sarcophagus covering the destroyed Chornobyl reactor. (AFP)
A memorial to victims and the original sarcophagus covering the destroyed Chornobyl reactor. (AFP)
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Russian Drone Attack Damages Chornobyl Nuclear Plant’s Shelter, Zelenskiy Says

 A memorial to victims and the original sarcophagus covering the destroyed Chornobyl reactor. (AFP)
A memorial to victims and the original sarcophagus covering the destroyed Chornobyl reactor. (AFP)

A Russian drone attack caused significant damage to the radiation shelter of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday.

Chornobyl was the site of the world's worst civil nuclear catastrophe when one of its four reactors exploded in 1986. That reactor is now enveloped by a protective shelter, known as a sarcophagus, to contain the lingering radiation.

The Russian drone struck the shelter of the destroyed power unit at the plant, causing a fire that has since been extinguished, he said.

"As of now, radiation levels have not increased and are being constantly monitored," Zelenskiy said, adding that an initial assessment had found significant damage.

"The only country in the world that attacks such sites, occupies nuclear power plants, and wages war without any regard for the consequences is today’s Russia," he said.