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The New Axis of Evil: DER SPIEGEL Investigation Reveals Deep Military Cooperation between Russia and China

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The New Axis of Evil DER SPIEGEL Investigation Reveals Deep Military Cooperation between Russia and China
On the banks of the pond in central Yekaterinburg, the facade of the Sevastyanov House glows white, swimming-pool green and terracotta – a fairy-tale castle in the eastern Urals. It was here that Russia's then-president Dmitry Medvedev once met with the leaders of Brazil, India and China. Angela Merkel, too, visited as chancellor.
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In all its splendor, the residence seems made for important events, events with external visibility. Yet on December 10, 2024, Alexander Vorontzov was preparing to open a confidential meeting at the site. The 60-year-old heads the influential First Directorate of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Russia's nerve center for international arms deals.
Sevastyanov House in Yekaterinburg: Winter uniforms and secrecy
Light snow was falling outside that day, while inside, roughly 80 high-ranking representatives from Russia and China discussed their nations' struggle against the West – military officers, representatives of arms companies and government agencies, some important enough to be flown to the venue on a government plane.

Facts Only

* Event occurred on December 10, 2024.
* Location: Sevastyanov House in Yekaterinburg.
* Attendees included approximately 80 high-ranking representatives from Russia and China.
* Participants included military officers, arms company representatives, and government agency officials.
* The meeting involved discussions regarding the nations' struggle against the West.
* Alexander Vorontzov headed the First Directorate of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.

Executive Summary

High-ranking representatives from Russia and China met at the Sevastyanov House in Yekaterinburg on December 10, 2024. The meeting involved approximately 80 representatives discussing their nations' stance against the West. Attendees included military officers, arms company representatives, and government agency officials, some of whom traveled by government plane. The residence was used for this discussion, which took place during light snow outside.

Full Take

The setting of a high-level, opaque meeting at a residence associated with figures like Dmitry Medvedev and Angela Merkel suggests a convergence of elite interests beyond standard diplomatic dialogue. The explicit focus on military cooperation between Russia and China indicates that strategic alignment in arms dealings is a central theme, moving beyond typical geopolitical negotiations into the mechanics of shared security concerns. The presence of such high-level military and governmental personnel underscores a mechanism where state security policy is being established through private or semi-private channels, shielded by the appearance of domestic luxury. This dynamic invites scrutiny regarding how official international relations are managed when direct public accountability is intentionally bypassed. What mechanisms govern the flow of information and agreements made in such settings, and who bears the responsibility for the resulting strategic decisions?
The New Axis of Evil: DER SPIEGEL Investigation Reveals Deep Military Cooperation between Russia and China — Arc Codex