The leaders discussed their potential meeting with the new US administration of Donald Trump during a series of video talks, the Kremlin says.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about ways to strengthen bilateral relations the following day Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.
The two leaders discussed their potential meeting with Trump's administration during a series of video talks that lasted an hour and a half, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
Russian media reported that the two leaders talked about boosting trade flows. China is the largest consumer of Russian energy and the largest market for Russian oil.
Xi and Putin have “expressed their willingness to establish relations with the United States on a basis of cooperation, mutual respect, if the Trump administration shows interest in this”, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters in Moscow.
“It is also known from our side that we are ready to negotiate with the new US administration on the war in Ukraine.”
For his part, Trump said he is ready to receive Russia's view that Ukraine's right to self-determination can be set aside in favor of peace and stability.
Ushakov said Putin wants long-term peace in Ukraine, not a short-term ceasefire. No specific proposals to order by Trump have been received, he said.
In Taiwan, Ushakov said that Russia “resolutely supports China's common policy”.
China appreciates it democratically controlled Taiwan as part of it. In his New Year's speech, President Xi said that no one can prevent the “reunification” of China and Taiwan. Taiwan's government denies Beijing's claims.
Ushakov said the Putin-Xi video was prepared before Trump's inauguration.
An unlimited contract
China and Russia announced an “unlimited” alliance in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing, days before sending thousands of troops to Ukraine. Putin, in recent months, has described China as an “ally”.
Trump has said he will be tough on China and talk to Putin about ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters after his inauguration, Trump said Putin must make a deal to end the war because the conflict is destroying Russia.
Xi called for talks to end the conflict in Ukraine and accused the US of waging a war on arms sales to Kyiv, which has said it is ready to seek a negotiated solution that respects its interests.