Putin, Xi discussed Chinese peace proposal
The Kremlin said ysterday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had held a "thorough" exchange of views during their first day of talks and had discussed China's peace plan for Ukraine, without elaborating.
Xi also said that he had invited Vladimir Putin to pay a visit to China this year.
"Yesterday, I officially invited president Putin to pay a visit to China this year at a convenient time for him," Xi said at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow yesterday.
In the meeting, Xi also invited Mishustin to visit China "as soon as possible", to establish close ties with new State Council Premier Li Qiang.
"We, in Russia, are sincerely interested in further strengthening the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction with China," said Mishustin.
In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, "China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Ukraine issue."
"Russia has carefully studied China's position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine issue and is open to talks for peace. Russia welcomes China to play a constructive role in this regard," said the statement.
Dialogue to settle crisis
President Xi called for dialogue to settle the Ukraine crisis in his talks with Putin on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, as the Russian leader welcomed his "dear friend" in Moscow.
Xi told the Russian leader, "A review of history shows that conflicts in the end have to be settled through dialogue and negotiation," the ministry said yesterday.
Putin said Russia has "carefully studied" China's position paper on a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis issued last month and is "open to talks for peace". He also said Moscow welcomes Beijing playing a constructive role in this regard, the ministry said.
The two leaders met for four and a half hours, including an informal dinner following the talks, according to Russian media.
Xi said most countries "support easing tensions, stand for peace talks and are against adding fuel to the fire" and that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the crisis, the ministry said. But he did not touch on concrete steps.
In the position paper released on the first anniversary of the Russian 'military operation' in Ukraine, China opposed the unilateral sanctions on Moscow imposed by Western countries and did not urge Russia to withdraw troops from the neighbouring country.
Beijing also showed consideration for Kyiv's position in the paper, saying, "The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively upheld."
Xi and Putin are scheduled to hold negotiations yesterday involving ministers and business leaders of the two countries.
They will sign two joint statements -one on strengthening their comprehensive partnership and strategic relations, and the other on a plan to develop key areas of bilateral economic cooperation through 2030, according to Russia's Tass news agency.