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CHINESE President Xi Jinping held a series of high-level talks Vladimir Putin and Russian senior ministers in Moscow today.
Mr Xi set out his determination to strengthen the economic ties between the two neighbours and to push for adoption of the 12-point peace plan China proposed for the Russia-Ukraine war last month.
At a joint press conference, Mr Putin said that statements had been signed by the two leaders that “fully reflect the nature of Russian and Chinese relations, which are at the highest point in the history of our two countries.”
Mr Putin said: “Russia and China are tied together through our good neighbourly relations.
“Of course our top priority is trade and the economy, and that’s quite natural, taking into account that China is the leading trade partner of our country.”
The Russian president claimed it was the West, not Russia, that was blocking an end to the fighting in Ukraine, which Russia invaded 13 months ago.
He said Moscow would react to the announcement that Britain had decided to send armour piercing ammunition — containing depleted uranium — to Ukrainian forces.
Mr Putin said that the West was “not yet ready for the Chinese peace plan on Ukraine,” but the proposals were a basis for settling the conflict when “Kiev and its Western allies are ready.”
The Chinese president said that his country had taken an “impartial position” on the war and was taking an active role to support peace and dialogue.
Mr Xi described the discussions with Mr Putin as “open and friendly.”
It was announced that a series of documents on “strategic co-operation” had been signed between the two leaders after what Mr Putin said were “successful and constructive discussions.”
During an earlier meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the Chinese president said that China wanted to expand co-operation with Russia in trade and investment as well as in energy and high-technology sectors.
Mr Xi underlined the importance of the two countries as strategic partners and neighbours.
President Xi has invited Mr Putin to China for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Co-operation later this year.
