Russia Stages Massive War Games

Russia kicked off what it says are its largest war games since the fall of the Soviet Union on Tuesday, as it hosted a bilateral meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the far eastern city of Vladivostok.

Tuesday's meeting between the two leaders came amid continued US-led sanctions against Russia and an escalating US-China trade war, CNN reported.

At least 300,000 troops, 36,000 vehicles and 1,000 aircraft are taking part in the Vostok 2018 exercises, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

They will be joined by thousands of troops from China and Mongolia, which the Chinese Defense Ministry insisted was not "directed against any third party" and would focus purely on "defenses, firepower strikes and counterattack."

The exercises will be held from September 11 to 17 in Russia's Eastern Military District, an underdeveloped and sparsely populated region close to the country's borders with China and Mongolia.

The exercises coincide with the Russian-sponsored Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on the Russian Pacific coast.

Putin met with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the event Tuesday, during which Russian news agency TASS said "several agreements" would be signed.

Trade turnover between Russia and China increased 50% in the first half of 2018, with the total expected to reach $100 billion by the end of the year, according to TASS.

Xi said China and Russia would work together to maintain stability and peace in the world.

China and Russia would promote "the political resolution of hotspot issues, resolutely upholding the UN charters and principles and standing firm against unilateralism and protectionism to construct a new type of international relations and a community of shared future for mankind," Xi said in comments Tuesday alongside Putin.

The two leaders have attempted to cultivate a special relationship in recent years, meeting often and making demonstrative public displays of warmth.

Xi's arrival in Vladivostok marked the first time a Chinese leader has participated in the annual event, and the third meeting between Xi and Putin in 2018.