Russia’s foreign minister visits Beijing to emphasize ties with strongest political ally

News Snapshot:

Open this photo in gallery: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, centre, walks from the plane upon his arrival in Beijing, in a photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service on April 8.The Associated Press Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Beijing Monday to display the strength of ties with close diplomatic ally China amid Moscow’s grinding war against Ukraine. The two continent-sized authoritarian states, increasingly in dispute with democracies, seek to gain influence in Africa, the Middle East and South America. China has backed Russia’s claim that President Vladimir Putin launched his assault in 2022 because of Western...