Russia and China to sign agreements despite Western backlash.

Russia and China are set to sign a set of bilateral agreements during the Russian prime minister's trip to Beijing as the two countries pledge closer cooperation even as the West remains critical of their ties amid the war in Ukraine. The visit comes after Russia and China reacted furiously to the Group of Seven weekend's declarations that singled them out on a range of issues, including Ukraine, nuclear arms and economic coercion. Deepening of ties with China is a strategic course for Moscow, said the secretary of Russia's Security Council Nikolai Patrushev.