Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a Victory Day reception to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025.
Mikhail Metzel | via Reuters
As Middle East wars heighten geopolitical divisions and threaten global supplies of primary goods, Russia has offered to help China with potential energy shortages.
“Russia can certainly fill the resource gap that has arisen between China and other countries interested in cooperating with us on an equal and mutually beneficial basis,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, according to comments reported by the Russian news agency Interfax.
Russia’s top diplomat also commented on China and Russia’s ability to withstand the economic fallout from the US’ “offensive” military operation against Iran, which has sent global oil and gas prices soaring.
“Thankfully, we and China have all the capabilities, both in service, in reserve and planned, to avoid becoming dependent on this kind of aggressive adventure that undermines the world economy and world energy,” Lavrov said at a press conference in Beijing.
Russia’s offer came after Foreign Minister Lavrov met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday. The officials reaffirmed the friendship and strategic cooperation between Russia and China. Both sides said the relationship “will remain steadfast through any storm.”
China’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday in comments reported by Reuters that the two countries are “carrying out practical cooperation in the energy field” based on “mutual respect and mutual benefits.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit China in the first half of this year, and Russia’s Vedemosti newspaper, citing sources, said the talks could take place the week of May 18. US President Donald Trump is also scheduled to meet with President Xi, and the summit is scheduled to be held on May 14th and 15th.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (left) on April 15, 2026.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images
Both the Russian and Chinese governments condemned the US and Israeli military operations against Iran.
However, the conflict is proving advantageous for Moscow, as oil prices are soaring. Meanwhile, China’s resilience has benefited Chinese asset prices since the start of the war.
Still, both Russia and China have a vested interest in ending the war as quickly as possible. Iran is a key ally of Russia in the Middle East and does not want to see another partner fall from grace.
Meanwhile, China relies on Iran for crude oil imports. Other goods will also need to be transported through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently under U.S. blockade.
China’s oil and gas imports fell in March from a year earlier, data released Tuesday showed, as supplies from the Middle East are beginning to be disrupted.
China boasts large oil reserves and a diverse energy mix, and its exposure to the global energy shock caused by the Iran war is seen as more manageable than other major economies. Nevertheless, the world’s second-largest economy relies on global energy supplies, and any long-term disruption could be costly for China.
Meanwhile, Russia, a major oil and gas producer, has benefited from the Iran war as energy supplies in the Middle East have been affected, with major buyers India and China significantly increasing imports, significantly boosting Russia’s fossil fuel export revenues. According to the data, in the first quarter of 2026, 90% of Russia’s total crude oil exports were shipped to China and India.
Russia and China have condemned the blockade that prevents ships from entering and exiting Iranian ports, with a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday condemning “dangerous and irresponsible actions” that further escalate tensions in the region, in unusually candid comments.
— CNBC’s Anniek Bao contributed reporting to this story.
