Putin to Xi: We will discuss your plan to end the war in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has said helium volition sermon Xi Jinping's 12-point program to "settle the acute situation successful Ukraine", during a highly anticipated sojourn to Moscow by the Chinese president.

"We're ever unfastened for [a] dialog process," Mr Putin said, arsenic the leaders called each different "dear friend".

China released a program to end the warfare past month - it includes "ceasing hostilities" and resuming bid talks.

But connected Friday the US warned the bid program could beryllium a "stalling tactic".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "The satellite should not beryllium fooled by immoderate tactical determination by Russia, supported by China oregon immoderate different country, to frost the warfare connected its ain terms."

China's program did not specifically accidental that Russia indispensable retreat from Ukraine - which Ukraine has insisted arsenic a precondition for immoderate talks.

Instead, it talked of "respecting the sovereignty of each countries", adding that "all parties indispensable enactment rational and workout restraint" and "gradually de-escalate the situation".

The program besides condemned the usage of "unilateral sanctions" - seen arsenic a veiled disapproval of Ukraine's allies successful the West.

On Monday, a subject set gave Mr Xi a lukewarm invited to Moscow. Mr Putin hailed China for "observing the principles of justice" and pushing for "undivided information for each country".

In return, Mr Xi told Mr Putin: "Under your beardown leadership, Russia has made large strides successful its prosperous development. I americium assured that the Russian radical volition proceed to springiness you their steadfast support."

Before Mr Xi's arrival, Mr Putin wrote successful China's People's Daily paper that the the 2 nations would not beryllium weakened by "aggressive" US policy.

Publicly, Ukrainian leaders person been emphasising the communal crushed they person with China - respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

But privately, they person been lobbying for a gathering - oregon telephone telephone - betwixt President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mr Xi.

The fearfulness successful Kyiv is that China's enactment for Russia - presently based astir exertion and commercialized - mightiness go military, perchance including artillery shells.

"If China does determination to openly proviso weapons to Russia, it volition successful effect beryllium taking portion successful the struggle connected the broadside of the aggressor," said Oleksiy Danilov, the caput of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council.

It is successful Beijing's interests to stabilise the narration with Russia, with which it shares a 4,300km (2700 mile) border, said Dr Yu Jie Senior, a probe chap connected China astatine Chatham House.

Russia is simply a root of lipid for Beijing's immense economy, and is seen arsenic a spouse successful lasting up to the US.

Dr Yu added that Mr Xi had conscionable scored a diplomatic triumph successful mediating betwixt Iran and Saudi Arabia, which person present resumed diplomatic ties.

This could beryllium a accidental for him to research the accidental to mediate betwixt Russia and Ukraine.

Mr Xi volition beryllium treated to a seven-course repast including nelma food from the Pechora River successful bluish Russia, a accepted Russian seafood crockery and pancakes with quail - alongside Russian wine.

Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has indicated determination volition beryllium a "detailed explanation" of Moscow's actions successful Ukraine implicit dinner. Russian and Chinese delegations volition clasp talks time - the main time of the visit.

Western leaders person been attempting since February to isolate Russia, pursuing its full-scale penetration of Ukraine.

But they person been incapable to found a planetary consensus, with China, India and galore African reluctant to condemn Mr Putin.