Informal meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping ends

Informal talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Kremlin ended, they lasted 4.5 hours, transmit “RIA News”.

March 20 in the Kremlin took place informal meeting between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. The Russian president greeted the Chinese leader in Moscow, addressing him as a “dear friend.” Earlier today, Peskov reported that the informal meeting of the heads of state would be held one-on-one.

Putin said that he carefully studied China’s plan with a proposal for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, and stressed that Russia is always open to the negotiation process. According to the head of state, the Chinese leadership “takes a fair, balanced position on most pressing international problems,” Russia treats all initiatives from the Chinese side with respect.

The main day of the state visit of the President of China will take place on March 21. Then there will be an official meeting ceremony, which will begin at 15:00 Moscow time, negotiations in a narrow and expanded format, signing of documents, as well as statements to the media. Peskov also noted that the topics of China’s peace plan for Ukraine will be touched upon during the talks between the heads of state. According to Peskov, Putin will give comprehensive explanations on the situation in Ukraine.

Xi Jinping arrived to Moscow today around 13:00 Moscow time and stayed at one of the hotels of the Chinese chain. He will stay on a visit to Moscow until March 22. After landing in Moscow, he expressed confidence that his working trip will be fruitful and “will give new impetus to the healthy and stable development of Sino-Russian relations.” Xi Jinping stressed that Russia and China are good neighbors and reliable partners who are connected by “mountains and rivers.”