The Russian president said at a press conference following his visit to China: “We have always opposed Ukraine becoming a member of this alliance (NATO), but we have never questioned its right to pursue its political and economic activities as it wishes – including membership in the European Union.”

The Russian president visited China from August 31 to September 3. He also participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and held a series of bilateral meetings on its sidelines.

In Beijing, a trilateral meeting was held between Russia, China, and Mongolia, and Putin held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On September 3, a large military parade was held in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japanese militarism and the end of World War II, attended by the Russian president and other world leaders.