Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Vladimir Putin in Moscow (Reuters)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin presented themselves as peace brokers during Xi's three-day visit to Moscow.
Russia has expressed support for a peace plan proposed by China to end the war in Ukraine, which the United States called a unilateral attempt to provide Putin with the option to continue fighting under the guise of a willingness to reach a solution.
Putin yesterday (Tuesday) expressed support for Xi's proposal for a "peaceful settlement in Ukraine", in a display of unity in the Kremlin that highlighted the deepening rift between the West and the East at the international level.
But despite the friendly gestures, there is no real sign that the Kremlin intends to do anything to influence the state of the war in Ukraine.
Putin claimed that Xi's plan "can be considered a basis for a peace agreement in Ukraine, when the West and Kiev are ready for it."
"All our talks were successful," Putin said yesterday.
"I have built a close relationship with President Putin over the past decade. We agreed that the relations between the two countries are superior to both of us. They are critical to the world order and the future of humanity."
Xi Jifning lands in Moscow (Photo: GettyImages)
In video: Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow (Reuters)
The two leaders in the Kremlin (Photo: Reuters)
However, in the West, Beijing's intentions to mediate in the war are seen as cause for concern.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said there are signs that Russia is pressuring China to supply it with lethal weapons.
Putin and Xi also emphasized their joint strategic vision and expressed a desire to strengthen relations in the fields of economy and energy.
Ukraine responded to the visit by saying that any "successful implementation" of a Chinese peace plan must begin with the "complete withdrawal or surrender" of Russian forces in Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was open to "dialogue" with China regarding its proposal, but warned that a ceasefire would allow Putin to "prepare and return to battle."
Putin also criticized Britain's announcement that it would supply shells containing depleted uranium to Ukraine, arguing that such a weapon would draw a Russian response.
"If this happens, the Russians will react accordingly, given the fact that the West is already starting to use weapons with a nuclear component," he said.
The Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that there are fewer and fewer steps left before a "nuclear collision" between Russia and the West.
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