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China-Russia relations
China

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin discuss Ukraine war ahead of expected US-Russia summit

Russian leader briefs Chinese president on Moscow’s communication with Washington as Donald Trump’s deadline for ceasefire looms

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on May 8. Photo: AP
Amber Wangin Beijing
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday ahead of an expected summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump.

Putin briefed Xi on the recent communication between Russia and the United States and said Russia was ready to keep close communication with China, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Xi said China welcomed continued contact between Russia and the US to improve their relations and to push towards a political solution to the Ukraine crisis.

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Xi said complicated issues did not have a simple solution. He added that China would continue its long-standing position of supporting talks to resolve regional conflicts.

The state broadcaster also quoted Putin as reaffirming that the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between China and Russia “would not change under any circumstances”.

02:08

Trump threatens Russia with 100% ‘secondary’ tariffs if no deal on Ukraine ceasefire

Trump threatens Russia with 100% ‘secondary’ tariffs if no deal on Ukraine ceasefire

The Kremlin said on Thursday that Putin and Trump had agreed to meet in the “coming days” to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

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