Vladimir Putin welcomes Xi Jinping’s plan for ‘settlement of acute crisis in Ukraine’

China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, and as a partner in standing up to what both see as U.S. domination of global affairs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Kremlin on March 20, 2023, in a visit that sent a powerful message to Western leaders allied with Ukraine that their efforts to isolate Moscow have fallen short.

As he greeted Mr. Xi, Mr. Putin also said he welcomed his plan for “settlement of the acute crisis in Ukraine.” Mr. Xi's visit showed off Beijing's new diplomatic swagger and gave a political lift to Mr. Putin just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Kremlin leader on war crimes charges related to Ukraine.

The two major powers have described Mr. Xi's three-day trip as an opportunity to deepen their “no-limits friendship.”

China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, and as a partner in standing up to what both see as U.S. domination of global affairs. The two countries, which are among the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, also have held joint military drills.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that over dinner on March 20, Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi will likely include a “detailed explanation” of Moscow's actions in Ukraine.

Broader talks involving officials from both countries on a range of subjects are scheduled for Tuesday, Mr. Peskov said.

For Mr. Putin, Mr. Xi's presence is a prestigious, diplomatic triumph amid Western efforts to isolate Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.