The Kremlin said Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping discussed Beijing’s peace plan for Ukraine as the two leaders held a “thorough” exchange of views during their first day of talks in Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to give further details, telling reporters to wait for a joint statement from the Russian and Chinese presidents later today after further talks.
“There was a very thorough exchange of views, a serious conversation in the informal part,” he said, referring to Monday’s meeting. He said the two leaders had talked about China’s proposal – a 12-point paper calling for a de-escalation and eventual ceasefire in Ukraine – but again declined to elaborate.
Mr Xi is the first world leader to meet Mr Putin since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader on Friday over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia since the start of the war. The Chinese president invited Mr Putin to visit China later this year.
Ukraine is waiting to hear if a call will take place between its President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mr Xi, Kyiv said earlier.
