Xi Tells Putin That Beijing is 'Pleased' With Moscow's Efforts to End Ukraine War

Beijing: China's President Xi Jinping spoke with Russia's President Putin on Monday, expressing that he is "pleased" with Moscow's efforts to arrange a summit with the US to end the Ukraine war, according to Chinese state media.

Putin updated Xi on the latest contacts with the U.S., according to CCTV, which didn't give further details.

China Pleased With Russia's Effort To End Ukraine War

Xi Jinping said that “China is pleased to see that Russia and relevant parties have made positive efforts to resolve the crisis," according to CCTV.

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The Chinese side “expressed support” for the dialogue between Russia and the U.S. and said it is prepared to assist to peacefully resolve the conflict, according to a statement from the Kremlin.

The call came as a dozen leaders from Europe and Canada visited Ukraine’s capital on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion and show their support for Kyiv.

'Friends of Peace'

Xi also reiterated China's stance, which includes a “Friends of Peace” group established last September with several other countries, to promote efforts to end the war. China and Brazil issued a joint peace plan last year that calls for a peace conference with both Ukraine and Russia and no expansion of the battlefield.

Xi and Putin have had a close relationship, which is also reflected in the countries' ties. China has become a major customer for Russian oil and gas and a source of key technologies following sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow.

(with AP inputs)