US urges Xi to press Putin over 'war crimes' in Ukraine

The US has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to property Vladimir Putin connected ceasing the "war crimes" being carried retired by Russia successful Ukraine.

The 2 volition conscionable again connected Tuesday for authoritative talks during Mr Xi's archetypal sojourn to Moscow since the invasion.

The White House's National Security Council spokesperson called connected Mr Xi to impulse his Russian counterpart to retreat troops from Ukraine.

John Kirby said seeking a ceasefire would not beryllium enough.

"We anticipation that President Xi volition property President Putin to cease bombing Ukrainian cities, hospitals and schools, to halt the warfare crimes and atrocities and to retreat his troops," helium said.

"But we are acrophobic that alternatively China volition reiterate calls for a ceasefire that leaves Russian forces wrong Ukraine's sovereign territory and immoderate ceasefire that does not code the removal of Russian forces from Ukraine would efficaciously ratify Russia's amerciable conquests."

Mr Putin has said helium volition sermon a 12-point program projected by Mr Xi to "settle the acute situation successful Ukraine".

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

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

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".

He added that China had made" a tremendous leap guardant successful its development" successful caller years, remarking: "We adjacent consciousness a spot envious."

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 2 nations would not beryllium weakened by "aggressive" US policy.

Ukrainian leaders person been publically 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.

This was echoed by Mr Kirby, the US information spokesman, who urged Mr Xi "to play a constructive role" successful the effort to extremity the struggle by speaking with Mr Zelensky.

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

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

The gathering comes days aft the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president implicit warfare transgression allegations. This means Mr Putin could technically beryllium arrested successful 123 countries - though neither China nor Russia are connected that list.

Western leaders person been attempting since past 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 respective African nations reluctant to condemn Mr Putin.