Putin, Xi praise Russia-China ties on Ukraine war anniversary

Credit: dpa/NAN

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Xi Jinping of China have praised the friendship between their countries in a telephone conversation, Chinese state television reported on Monday.

History and reality had shown that Russia and China are good neighbours and true friends who support each other, Xi said, according to the report.

The phone call took place on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

READ ALSO: Erdogan offers to organise talks between Russia, Ukraine

Putin informed Xi about the state of talks with the new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump, Russian reports said.

Chinese state television reported that Putin told Xi that Russia was committed to eliminating the causes of the “Russian-Ukrainian conflict” and to a sustainable and long-term peace programme.

Xi noted the peace proposals that China has put forward to end the war, the broadcaster said.

China is considered an important supporter of Russia, having not condemned Moscow’s war on Ukraine to date.