Europe News Desk!!! Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Kremlin on Tuesday for official talks. Speaking to reporters after the meeting with Xi, Putin praised a 12-point peace roadmap for Ukraine recently released by Beijing, according to RT. “We believe that many of the provisions of the peace plan offered by China are in line with the Russian position and can be taken as the foundation for a peaceful settlement when the West and Kiev are ready for it,” Putin said. However, so far we have not seen such readiness from their side. The two leaders met earlier behind closed doors, with several top officials including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Security Council Vice President Dmitry Medvedev and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attending the talks on the Russian side.
RT reported that the meeting was followed by another round of talks with expanded delegations, including more government ministers and heads of Russian state corporations. On Monday, Xi and Putin held informal talks for about five hours behind closed doors. The visit is President Xi’s first to Russia since the outbreak of the Moscow-Kiev conflict, and also his first abroad since securing an unprecedented third term as China’s head of state. Both countries have reiterated their commitment to building a multipolar world and strengthening their relationship, described as a strategic partnership. According to Xi, building closer ties with Russia is a strategic choice that China has made based on its core interests and the prevailing trends in the world.
–IANS
World News Desk!!!
SGK/ANM