Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday welcomed improving ties between Moscow and Washington, during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, according to Chinese state media, reported news agency AFP.
The call, made at Putin's request, comes as preparations are underway for a possible meeting between the Russian leader and US President Donald Trump, aimed at finding a political resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
“China is glad to see Russia and the United States maintain contact, improve their relations, and promote a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis,” Xi told Putin, according to Xinhua's English service.
During the call, Putin reportedly briefed Xi on the “recent contact and communications” between Russia and the US, as well as developments concerning Ukraine, the agency reported AFP citing Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Xi reaffirmed China's stance on the war, stating that "complex issues have no simple solutions", and reiterated Beijing’s support for efforts to achieve peace and promote dialogue. “China will always support making peace and promoting talks,” he said.
Although China claims to be a neutral party in the conflict, it has stopped short of condemning Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, or calling for the withdrawal of its troops. Beijing has frequently accused Western countries of fuelling the conflict by supplying arms to Kyiv.
Putin is expected to visit China in late August, where he will attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Talks between Xi and Putin are also scheduled during the visit.
China has emerged in some media reports as a possible venue for the Putin-Trump summit, with speculation suggesting a meeting could take place in early September. While no date or location has been confirmed, the Kremlin has not ruled out the possibility of such a summit, reported AFP.
Moscow and Beijing have strengthened diplomatic and economic ties over the past two years, with regular high-level exchanges and cooperation across several sectors, including energy and defence.
The call, made at Putin's request, comes as preparations are underway for a possible meeting between the Russian leader and US President Donald Trump, aimed at finding a political resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
“China is glad to see Russia and the United States maintain contact, improve their relations, and promote a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis,” Xi told Putin, according to Xinhua's English service.
During the call, Putin reportedly briefed Xi on the “recent contact and communications” between Russia and the US, as well as developments concerning Ukraine, the agency reported AFP citing Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Xi reaffirmed China's stance on the war, stating that "complex issues have no simple solutions", and reiterated Beijing’s support for efforts to achieve peace and promote dialogue. “China will always support making peace and promoting talks,” he said.
Although China claims to be a neutral party in the conflict, it has stopped short of condemning Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, or calling for the withdrawal of its troops. Beijing has frequently accused Western countries of fuelling the conflict by supplying arms to Kyiv.
Putin is expected to visit China in late August, where he will attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Talks between Xi and Putin are also scheduled during the visit.
China has emerged in some media reports as a possible venue for the Putin-Trump summit, with speculation suggesting a meeting could take place in early September. While no date or location has been confirmed, the Kremlin has not ruled out the possibility of such a summit, reported AFP.
Moscow and Beijing have strengthened diplomatic and economic ties over the past two years, with regular high-level exchanges and cooperation across several sectors, including energy and defence.
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