Xi in Moscow: Putin says ready to discuss China's Ukraine plan
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (March 20) told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that their countries shared many "common goals" and also said that it was "symbolic" that the Chinese leader chose to travel to Russia for the first foreign visit of his new term.
The Chinese presidentlanded in Moscowearlier in the day for his first state visit to Russia since the Ukraine war started last year in February. He intends to impart a "new momentum" to bilateral ties during the crucial visit.
The Russian news agencies reported that on the runway of a Moscow airport, Xi said he is "confident the visit will be fruitful and give new momentum to the healthy and stable development of Chinese-Russian relations".
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Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko welcomed him on a red carpet and the Chinese leader was also greeted by a military brass band which played anthems from both countries.
Xi also hailed China and Russia as "good neighbours" and "reliable partners" as he described bilateral ties as entering "a new era". The remarks were in reference to comments by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, who last week said that Xi and Putin would sign documents ushering in closer ties.
As quoted by the Russian news agencies, Xi also said, "In a world of volatility and transformation, China will continue to work with Russia to safeguard the international system with the UN at its core."
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Putin on China's 'peace plan' for Ukraine conflict
Putin told his Chinese counterpart that Russia was open to discussing Beijing's peace plans to end the ongoing fighting in Ukraine at the start of high-stakes talks in the Kremlin. Putin told Xi: "We are always open to negotiations."
China recently said that it hopes to play a constructive role in resolving the geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Beijing came up with the so-called peace plan in the form of a 12-point foreign ministry paper for a gradual de-escalation between the warring nations.
The plans got a massive push with the Russia-China summit as Beijing seeks to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict and now got a platform to make the plan a reality. However, Washington warned the world should not be fooled by Beijing's moves.
The United States has accused Beijing of mulling arms exports to Moscow. China has vociferously denied the claims.
(With inputs from agencies)
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