Putin, Xi meet in Moscow

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Monday in Moscow, reported Xinhua.

China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Xi made the remarks while having an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukrainian issue with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Xi stressed that, on the Ukraine issue, voices for peace and rationality are building. Most countries support easing tensions, stand for peace talks, and are against adding fuel to the fire. A review of history shows that conflicts in the end have to be settled through dialogue and negotiation.

China released a document on its position on the Ukraine crisis, advocating the political settlement of the crisis and rejecting the Cold War mentality and unilateral sanctions, said Xi.

China believes that the more difficulties there are, the greater the need to keep space for peace. The more acute the problem is, the more important it is not to give up efforts for dialogue. China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Ukraine issue, said Xi.

For his part, Putin said that Russia appreciates China for consistently upholding an impartial, objective, and balanced position and standing for fairness and justice on major international issues. Russia has carefully studied China's position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine issue and is open to talks for peace. Russia welcomes China to play a constructive role in this regard.

The two countries share many similar development objectives and can work together via cooperation in this regard so as to push for the realization of those objectives, Xi said.

The comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries has safeguarded the international fairness and justice on the one hand, and promoted common prosperity and development of the two countries on the other, he said.

Xi also thanked Putin for his constant appreciation and support for China's development.

At the invitation of Putin, Xi arrived earlier in the day in the Russian capital for a state visit.