MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Monday that Russia was open to discussing China's proposals to end the fighting in Ukraine at the beginning of high-stakes talks in the Kremlin.
The summit comes as China tries to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, but Washington warned the world not to be fooled by Beijing's moves.
Xi's three-day trip also serves as a show of support for internationally isolated Putin, just days after a war crimes tribunal issued a warrant for his arrest over accusations of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.
Putin told the Chinese leader that we are always open to negotiations, as he was visiting Moscow on his first visit since Russia's military intervention in Ukraine last year.
The United States accused Beijing of considering mulling arms exports to Moscow - claims that China has vociferously denied.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed scepticism over Xi's proposals for Ukraine, warning that they could be a stalling tactic to help Russia.
Russia could end its war today. "Until Russia does, we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes," said Blinken later in a statement.
In part, Xi and Putin came together to discuss China's 12 point position paper on the Ukraine conflict, which includes a call for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty.
During his initial meeting with Putin Xi welcomed close ties with Russia and the Russian leader said the two countries had plenty of common objectives and tasks.