Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a reception on Victory Day marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on May 9, 2025.
Mikhail Metzel | via reuters
Russia has offered to help China with any potential energy shortages, as war in the Middle East widens geopolitical divisions and threatens global commodity supplies.
“Russia can certainly fill the resource gap that has arisen between China and other countries that are interested in working with us on an equal and mutually beneficial basis,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, according to the comments. informed By Russian news agency Interfax.
Russia’s top diplomat also commented on the ability of China and Russia to absorb the economic impact of “aggressive” US military operations against Iran, which have sent global oil and gas prices soaring.
“Thank God, we and China have all the capabilities, both those that are already in use and those that are in reserve and those that are planned, to avoid relying on such an aggressive adventure (the situation in the Middle East), which undermines the global economy and global energy,” Lavrov said at a news conference in Beijing.
Russia’s offer came after Lavrov met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday. Officials reaffirmed the friendship and strategic cooperation between Russia and China. Both sides said that the relationship “steady In the midst of any storm.”
China’s Foreign Ministry said in comments reported by Reuters on Wednesday that the countries “carry out practical cooperation in energy” based on “mutual respect and mutual benefit.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit China in the first half of the year, with Russia’s Vedomosti newspaper citing sources as saying that the meeting could take place in the week of May 18. US President Donald Trump is also scheduled to meet President Xi, with the summit scheduled to take place on May 14-15.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (left) on April 15, 2026.
Anadolu | Anadolu | getty images
Both Moscow and Beijing have condemned US and Israeli military operations against Iran.
However, the conflict is proving profitable for Moscow as oil prices have risen. Meanwhile, Chinese asset prices have benefited from China’s resilience since the start of the war.
Nevertheless, both Russia and China have vested interests in ending the war as quickly as possible; Iran is Russia’s key ally in the Middle East and it does not want to see another partner fall.
Meanwhile, China is dependent on Iran for crude oil imports. It also requires other goods to be transported through the Strait of Hormuz sea route, which is currently under US blockade.
Data released on Tuesday showed that China’s crude oil and gas imports fell in March from a year earlier, a sign that supply disruptions from the Middle East are beginning to take effect.
China boasts significant oil reserves and a diverse energy mix, meaning the global energy shock caused by the Iran war is seen as more manageable than other major economies. Nonetheless, the world’s second-largest economy is dependent on global energy supplies and a long-term disruption could prove costly for China.
Meanwhile, major oil and gas producer Russia has received a windfall from the Iran war as the Middle East’s energy supplies have been hit, prompting major buyers India and China to significantly increase imports. massive boost Russia‘Fossil fuel export revenues. In the first quarter of 2026, 90% of Russia’s total crude oil exports were destined for China and India, data shows.
Russia and China have condemned the blockade that prevents ships from entering and exiting Iranian ports, with China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman in unusually outspoken comments Tuesday condemning the move as a “dangerous and irresponsible act” that will further escalate tensions in the region.
— CNBC’s Annick Bao contributed reporting to this story.