Xi dials Putin, says China 'would like to see' US-Russia maintain contact

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, expressing his appreciation that Moscow and Washington have continued dialogue despite their differences, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV.

“China would like to see Russia and the United States maintain contact, improve their relations, and promote a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis,” state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as telling Putin.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that Xi spoke with Putin on Friday at the Russian president’s request.

According to the report, Putin updated Xi on recent interactions and communications between Russia and the United States, as well as the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

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Xi “pointed out that complex issues have no simple solutions” and said “China will always… support making peace and promoting talks,” CCTV also reported.

Xi’s phone call with Putin came after the Russian President on Thursday confirmed upcoming high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump, saying that “both sides had expressed interest” and suggested that the United Arab Emirates could be a potential venue.

The announcement followed a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

When asked who initiated the proposed Trump-Putin meeting, Putin emphasised that both parties had expressed interest and that who reached out first is now “no longer relevant.”

Regarding the venue, he named the UAE as a potential host, calling the country “one of the suitable locations.”

“We have many friends willing to help organise such events. One of them is the President of the United Arab Emirates. The exact venue is still being decided, but the UAE would be one of the suitable options,” Putin told reporters.

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On the possibility of including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the talks, Putin said, “I have nothing against it in principle — but certain conditions must be met first. Unfortunately, we are still far from that point.”

Earlier, Kremlin said President Putin and President   Trump   will meet in the coming days, as the US president seeks a breakthrough to end the Ukraine war after voicing mounting frustration with his Russian counterpart and threatening him with new sanctions.

The announcement came a day after   Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, held three hours of talks with Putin in Moscow.

With inputs from agencies