Prior to the announcement of the training, the Chinese state-run Global Times published an interview on July 10 with Serbian Lieutenant Colonel Dalibor Aleksic, who commands an air defense unit operating two China-supplied weapon systems: the FK-3 and the HQ-17AE.

The United States may impose 100% tariffs on China, India, and Brazil if Russia refuses to sign a peace agreement with Ukraine within 50 days, states NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, according to The Guardian.

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to deepen China's support for Russia after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to levy sweeping secondary sanctions on Russia's trading partners if the Kremlin does not stop its war in Ukraine in 50 days.

“North Korea is now a more important ally for Russia than Iran or China,” said Oleg Ignatov, senior Russia analyst for Crisis Group.

China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing, days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. Putin has sometimes described China as an "ally".