U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the meeting between China's President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin:

"President Xi and Putin are seeking a new global order that directly threatens international democracy and sovereignty. Today’s meeting demonstrates China and Russia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the New Axis of Evil at the expense of freedom around the globe. The United States must continue to stand firmly against these malign actors and support the people of Taiwan and Ukraine," said Senator Blackburn.