If a war between China and Taiwan breaks out, Russia has said that it will back China, while the United States has already sided with Taiwan. Tensions have flared recently, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made it clear that Moscow would support China in defending its territorial integrity.

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Russia has also said that this is an “internal” matter for China. “Proceeding from the fact that the Taiwan issue is an internal matter of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing has every legitimate reason to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Lavrov said, according to a report by Defence-Blog.

Lavrov’s comments come amid growing international focus on the security situation around Taiwan and repeated warnings from U.S. and Taiwanese officials about the risk of a future conflict in the region. Speaking to TASS, Lavrov framed Russia’s position as grounded in long-standing bilateral agreements with Beijing. –Defence-Blog

“One of the basic principles laid down in this document is mutual support in matters of protecting state unity and territorial integrity,” Lavrov said.

The document Lavrov referenced is a treaty, signed on July 16, 2001. It commits Moscow and Beijing to broad political, economic, and security cooperation. Russian officials have repeatedly cited the agreement when outlining the strategic partnership between the two countries. They have especially been using it recently as pressure from the United States and its allies increased on China.

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China has also launched large-scale military drills near Taiwan, as the U.S. approved another weapons package.

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Moscow has consistently aligned with China and rejected any interpretation of Taiwan as an independent state.  It has cemented its position in standing with Beijing’s claim over the island.  The U.S., on the other hand, has sided with Taiwan, claiming it has its own sovereignty and is an independent nation not beholden to China.