Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov replied to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s call for a “new alliance of democracies” to counter China by saying Russia was not interested in joining any “new alliance,” declaring that Russia is not “friends against anyone.” “I would like to remind the President that Moscow never takes part in alliances against someone, we are not friends against someone,” RIA Novosti quoted Peskov as saying. Peskov underlined that all alliances Russia takes part in are aimed at developing relations of good-neighborliness and mutual benefit. He stated in particular China is an ally and partner for Russia.