Xi and Putin discuss peace efforts amid Ukraine conflict
Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed satisfaction with the Kremlin's "positive efforts to resolve the crisis" in Ukraine, according to state media reports covering Xi's conversation with Vladimir Putin, conducted on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
This was already the second phone conversation between these leaders this year.
History and modern times show us that China and Russia are good neighbours who cannot distance themselves from each other, and true friends who share difficulties, support each other, and develop together, said a statement from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.
Regarding the "crisis in Ukraine," as China still refers to the full-scale Russian invasion that began three years ago, Putin presented "current information on Russian-American contacts" and Russia's "principled position" on this issue.
According to the Russian leader, Moscow is "committed to eliminating the root causes of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and achieving a balanced peace plan, calculated for a long-term perspective."
The Chinese leader recalls the four principles
Chinese leader Xi reminded that Beijing, from the "beginning of the full escalation of the Ukrainian crisis," presented the so-called four principles and "other ideas for resolving (this situation)", as well as a six-point peace plan developed jointly with Brazil. He stated that these actions aimed to "create an atmosphere and conditions for a political resolution of the crisis."
"China is pleased to see that Russia and relevant parties have made positive efforts to resolve the crisis," Xi summarized, without mentioning Ukraine by name as a participant in the talks.
The Communist authorities of China have not condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Beijing also opposes Western sanctions imposed on Moscow. After the outbreak of the war, both countries strengthened cooperation in many fields, including the military, and conducted joint military exercises. The value of bilateral trade reached a record level of 237 billion dollars (about 320 billion CAD) last year.
The conversation between Xi and Putin took place around 4:00 PM Eastern Time.
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