The Kremlin said the two leaders had agreed to ramp up economic cooperation in the face of "unlawful" Western sanctions.

"China claims to be neutral, but its behavior makes clear that it is still investing in close ties to Russia," a US State Department spokesperson said.

The French leader has been criticised by Ukraine and eastern European allies for what they perceived as his ambiguous backing for Ukraine in the war against Russia.

The EU took 61 percent of Russia's fossil fuel exports during the war's first 100 days

Most of Taiwan's main warships are U.S. made or designed

Zelenskyy says: 'I don’t really understand… humiliating Russia. For 8 years, they have been killing us. What are we talking about here?'

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova threatened at the end of May to expel Western media if YouTube continued to block the department's weekly briefings.

Last week, Ottawa accused the Chinese air force of unprofessional and risky behavior during the incidents.

China's stance has heightened tensions with the United States and its allies, which insist on freedom of navigation in the area.

"To the people of China and to those who continue to stand against injustice and seek freedom, we will not forget June 4."

Moscow has blamed Ukraine and the West for the resulting disruption of Ukrainian grain exports.

The satellite system may pose a threat to Beijing, Chinese researchers cited by UK media say