Putin hails ‘good old friend’ Xi Jinping ahead of first Moscow meeting since invasion
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Vladimir Putin has said he will welcome his “good old friend” Xi Jinping later as the Chinese president visits Moscow to highlighted China’s “willingness to play a constructive role” in Ukraine. “We welcome China’s willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis.” Mr Xi, in turn, published an article in the Russian government’s newspaper, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, calling for “pragmatism” on the issue of Ukraine. While Mr Xi’s article devoted only a paragraph to the Ukraine invasion, he was more liberal in his praise for Russia-China relations and said the country remains an invaluable partner to Beijing. “Chinese-Russian friendship has long endured and must be cherished even more.” Analysts say Mr Xi’s willingness to visit Russia is symbolic of their ongoing close alliance, coming as Moscow finds itself otherwise increasingly isolated on the world stage.