Kremlin: China's missile tests and Russia's exercises do not threaten other countries

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov/© Sofya Sandurskaya/TASS

JAKARTA - China's latest strategic missile test and ongoing joint naval exercises with Russia are not aimed at any country.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said China had the sovereign right to conduct missile tests and strengthen its military capabilities.

Moscow describes military cooperation with Beijing as an important factor for regional security.

"We believe it is China's sovereign right to test its missiles and engage in military development. China does not threaten any country in the region or in the world, and China is our main ally and strategic partner," he said, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, July 7.

The statement was made after China launched a ballistic missile test from a submarine from the South China Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

Responding to the Maritime Interaction-2026 (Joint Sea-2026) naval exercise that took place in the Yellow Sea and the airspace around the port city of Qingdao, China, on July 6-13, Peskov stressed that the exercise was defensive and was not aimed at any third country.

"Our joint exercises are also not aimed at anyone or against any country in the region, and all parties should understand this," he said.

"On the contrary, cooperation between Russia and China in this very important and strategic field is a very important factor in increasing predictability and security in the region," he added.

Peskov also alluded to last week's phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, which he described as an opportunity for Moscow to convey its position on Ukraine directly to Washington.

"This is a good opportunity, it can be said at the highest level, to convey our position directly to the President of the United States," he said.

Peskov declined to comment on how Trump responded to Putin's statement. According to him, questions about the US President's response should be directed to the White House.

Responding to media reports that Putin and Trump agreed to resume talks after a planned meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at this week's NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Peskov said there was a mutual understanding that communication between the two leaders would continue.

"Indeed, both President Putin and President Trump have an understanding that contacts between them will continue in the near future," he said.

According to Peskov, Trump has so far maintained a consistent stance on the conflict in Ukraine.

"President Trump has a pretty consistent position, and all the speculation he's changing his mind is like pointing the wind direction is not in line with reality?" he said.

According to the Kremlin's view, one of the main aspects of Trump's approach was his willingness to listen to Russian perspectives.

"He is consistent and confident in his understanding of what is happening. But most importantly, he is open to listening to the information that Putin conveyed to him," Peskov said.