China’s Xi welcomes President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus to Beijing

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke of a “strengthened political mutual trust and international coordination” with Belarus after he met with the European country’s president in Beijing on Monday, according to official media. China has sought to make Belarus a core member of its “Belt and Road Initiative” to build infrastructure with nations from Malaysia to Greece. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has become increasingly isolated following a crackdown on political opponents and his support for ally Russia in its war on Ukraine. The official Xinhua News Agency said Xi and Lukashenko “also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis” on Monday. The news agency didn’t give details of their discussion about the conflict.