China's Peace Plan Could End Russia-Ukraine War, Says Putin

Vladimir Putin met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday, and said that Chinese plan could be used as the basis of a peace settlement in Ukraine. But the Russian President said that the West and Ukraine were not yet ready.

Mission of China to the EU tweeted a photo of the two leaders, and said that the "two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine issue."

After talks with Jinping in the Kremlin, Putin accused the West of fighting "to the last Ukrainian," reported Reuters.

Jinping described his talks with Putin as "open and friendly," and stressed on China's "neutral position" on Ukraine.

Putin said that they believe that many of the provisions of the "peace plan put forward by China are consonant with Russian approaches." He noted that they can be taken as the basis for a "peaceful settlement when they are ready for that in the West and in Kyiv. However, so far we see no such readiness from their side."

China's proposal is a 12-point paper that calls for a de-escalation and eventual ceasefire in Ukraine. It lacks details on how to end the war that started in February last year.

Given China's refusal to condemn Russia over Ukraine, the U.S. has been dismissive of the peace proposal. The U.S. said that a ceasefire now would lock in Russian territorial gains and give Putin's troops more time to regroup.

Ukraine welcomed China's diplomatic involvement, but said that Russia must pull its soldiers out of its country.

Apart from the Ukraine issue, Putin and Jinping also talked about energy, growing trade and political ties between the two countries, according to BBC.

They also signed two joint documents, with one detailing plans for economic co-operation. The other one is on plans to deepen the Russia-China partnership.

There are also concerns in the West that China might provide military aid to Russia amid war with Ukraine.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said that there were "signs" that Russia had requested weapons, and that it was being considered in China.

But a joint statement released by Russia and China after the meeting said that the close partnership between the two nations did not constitute a "military-political alliance."