Tensions Rise as France and Russia Clash Over China's Influence

Russian officials have criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's comments that Moscow was becoming subservient to China, saying Western countries must get used to a world underpinned by the Kremlin's close ties with Beijing. Macron had decried the Kremlin's isolation brought on by its invasion of Ukraine more than 14 months ago. The Russian criticism focused on talks in Moscow in March between Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at which they said they were deepening their strategic partnership by entering "a new era" of ties.