Bangladesh, Oct. 16 -- Russia has once again drawn a firm line in global strategic politics, rejecting any notion of aligning with the United States to pressure China into joining nuclear arms control talks. In a statement that underscores Moscows deepening partnership with Beijing and its growing distance from Washington, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that such an alliance “would be unthinkable.”

Lavrov made the remarks in an interview with Kommersant newspaper on October 15, responding to a question about whether Moscow might collaborate with Washington in persuading Beijing to join denuclearization or arms control discussions. His response was unequivocal: “Russia will not ally with anyone against anyon...