World

Xi to Putin: China pleased with efforts to end war

By AAP Newswire

Feb 24, 2025

A file photo of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed Ukraine in a phone call. -AP

China's President Xi Jinping has held a call with Russia's President Vladimir Putin and said he was pleased with Moscow's efforts to hold a summit with the US toward ending the war in Ukraine.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Putin updated Xi on the latest contacts with the US, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, which didn't give further details.

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

The Chinese side "expressed support" for the dialogue between Russia and the US 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.

Xi also reiterated China's stance, which includes a "Friends of Peace" group established in September with several other countries, to promote efforts to end the war.

China and Brazil issued a joint peace plan in 2024 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 nations' ties.

China has become a major customer for Russian oil and gas and a source of key technologies following sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press