Putin: Russia Will Actively Participate in 'One Belt, One Road' Initiative

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday in China that Moscow supports Beijing's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and is ready to actively participate in the implementation of the global project.

"All proposed projects correspond to modern development trends, and all these things are extremely necessary and highly demanded. That is why Russia supports 'One Belt, One Road' project and will actively participate in its implementation together with Chinese partners and, of course, with all other interested states," Putin said at a round table on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

According to Putin, the creation of the economic development belt and organization of mutually beneficial trade between Asia and Europe seem to be an important initiative that takes into account the current trends in the world economy and also reflects the overall need for coordination of diverse integration processes on the Eurasian continent and in other regions of the world.

"It is important that all integration structures — both existing in Eurasia and newly formed — would rely on universal internationally recognized rules, and, of course, take into account the specific features of the national models of development of the participating states, act openly and transparently," Putin added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing to take part in the One Belt, One Road international forum, focused on China's plan for developing Eurasian infrastructure and strengthening ties between the countries of the continent.

In 2013, Beijing launched "One Belt, One Road" aimed at strengthening ties between Eurasian countries and at development of infrastructure across the continent. The initiative focuses mainly on the Maritime Silk Route and on the land-based Silk Road Economic Belt.