Putin Says Volume of Investments, Number of Projects Between EAEU, China Growing

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview to the Chinese broadcaster, where he outlined the key issues of Russian-Chinese strategic partnership, shared his opinion on the Belt and Road initiative and also touched on the Ukrainian crisis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the EAEU countries in the course of joint work with China have already provided $24 billion of investments, and this volume is growing. These remarks were made while discussing the Belt and Road Initiative with the China Media Group broadcaster.

"The countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, in the course of joint work within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, have already provided $24 billion of investments. But this volume is growing as the number of mutually beneficial projects is increasing," Putin stressed.

Russia and China are working on cooperation on fast neutron reactors, which will allow the two countries to build relations in a new way in this high-tech energy sector, Russian President Vladimir Putin added.

"We continue to build nuclear units. And not only to build units at two stations, but we are also working on the issue of a fast neutron reactor, which will allow us to build relations in this high-tech energy sector in a completely new way, since conditions are created there for a closed cycle. There will be no waste there," Putin said.

Vladimir Putin also touched on the issue of expanding contacts in the field of sports.

"I hope that our cooperation with Chinese friends in the field of sports will also actively develop ... When I go to China, I will definitely talk with Xi on this topic ... I will ask him to support these initiatives of young people, athletes ... to expand contacts in the field of sports," Putin said in an interview.

On the Ukrainian Crisis

Ukraine, if it wants to start peace talks with Russia, needs to cancel the decree banning negotiations and declare its readiness for dialogue with Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"The President of Ukraine issued a decree prohibiting peace negotiations with us ... Well, how can you negotiate if they don’t want it and even if they have issued a regulatory document that prohibits these negotiations," Putin said in an interview.

The Russian leader added that the Ukrainian side, if it wants to start negotiations, first needs to cancel this decree.

"And declare readiness for these negotiations. We are ready, including using the offer of our Chinese friends," Putin said.

China's proposals on the Ukrainian settlement are realistic and could form the basis for a future peace agreement, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Well, we know, naturally, the proposals of our Chinese friends. We highly value these proposals. I believe that they are quite realistic. In any case, they could be the basis for peace agreements," Putin said.

In February, China released a 12-point document titled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," which underscores respect for the sovereignty of all countries, the cessation of hostilities, and the resumption of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev.

Putin stressed that Russia is grateful to China for thinking about how to end the Ukrainian crisis.

"Yes, we are grateful to our Chinese friends for thinking about how to end this crisis," Vladimir Putin said.

On BRICS Potential in the Multipolar World

All BRICS countries have their own problems, but the growth of the potential of these states is obvious, including in the economy, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"All of our countries have their own problems. And who doesn’t have them? We all do. This is not the point, the point is the growth of potential. And this growth is obvious, including in the economic sphere," Putin said in an interview with Chinese broadcaster.

Putin added that the process of BRICS expansion is based on an objective reality - the creation of a multipolar world. This is also due to the growing potential of many countries, including China and India, the Russian leader said.

He also noted that at the time of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, the ratio of the economies of the G7 countries and the BRICS countries was in favor of the BRICS in terms of purchasing power parity.

"After the accession of six more BRICS members, the ratio became even greater in favor of the BRICS countries. This is a manifestation of the objective process of forming a multipolar world," Putin said.

Vladimir Putin plant to visit China to participate in the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing from October 17-18.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin “will be the chief guest” of Chairman Xi and heads of states will find time “for a confidential, face to face discussion.”