Xi, Putin Hold Talks In Moscow: Russian Leader Says Open To Discuss China's Proposals On Ukraine
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping held talks in Moscow on Monday and the Russian Leader said he was open to discussing China's proposals on the fighting in Ukraine.
Both leaders hold second round of talks today.
Xi's three-day visit to Moscow is a major coup for Putin -- and comes days after a war crimes tribunal in the Hague issued a warrant for the Russian President's arrest over accusations of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.
On Monday, Putin and Xi held four and a half hours of talks, calling each other dear friend.
During the meeting, the Russian leader said he was open for talks on Ukraine and praised Beijing’s 12-point position paper on the conflict, which includes a call for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty.
The official Chinese News Agency Xinhua says Xi told Putin that China is ready to continue to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would welcome talks with Xi, although it was unclear Monday if the Chinese leader planned to speak to him after his visit to Moscow.
Kyiv on Monday said it expected Xi to use Beijing’s influence to push for an end to Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine and was "closely" following the visit.