On eve of Xi go to, Putin welcomes Chinese language function in Ukraine disaster By Reuters

(Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed China’s willingness to play a “constructive function” in fixing the Ukraine disaster, in an article launched on Sunday, the eve of a go to by his Chinese language counterpart Xi Jinping.

In what the Kremlin mentioned was an article written for a Chinese language newspaper, Putin referred to as Xi his “good outdated pal” and mentioned Russia had excessive hopes for his go to, the Chinese language chief’s first to Russia since Putin launched his “particular army operation” final 12 months.

“We’re grateful for the balanced line of (China) in reference to the occasions happening in Ukraine, for understanding their background and true causes. We welcome China’s willingness to play a constructive function in resolving the disaster,” Putin mentioned.

Xi and Putin signed a “no limits” partnership settlement weeks earlier than the invasion final 12 months. China has publicly remained impartial within the Ukraine battle, whereas criticising Western sanctions in opposition to Russia and reaffirming its shut ties with Moscow.

Beijing final month revealed a 12-point paper calling for dialogue and a settlement in Ukraine, but it surely contained solely common statements and no concrete proposal for the way the year-long struggle may finish.

Ukraine, which says any settlement would require Russia to withdraw from all of the territory it has seized together with the Crimean peninsula Russia annexed in 2014, cautiously welcomed the Chinese language proposal.

The USA has reacted with excessive scepticism, given China’s refusal to sentence Russia’s invasion, and mentioned a ceasefire now would solely lock in Russian territorial positive factors and provides Putin extra time for his military to regroup.

Washington has mentioned since final month that it was involved China may present Russia with weapons, which Beijing has denied.

Putin mentioned Russo-Chinese language relations have been at a historic excessive they usually have been coordinating their overseas coverage to battle frequent threats as U.S. makes an attempt to include each international locations took on an “ever sharper and extra assertive character”.