(Finance) – The talks between the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting between the two leaders, which began in the Kremlin at 16.30 local time, 14.30 in Italy, lasted four hours and 30 minutes. The informal face-to-face between Putin and Xi – according to what has been learned – continued, in an enlarged format, during a seven-course dinner. A preparatory meeting in view of theofficial start of the talks, scheduled for tomorrow at 3 pm local time (1 pm in Italy).
At the center of the meeting – reports the Ria Novosti news agency – the bilateral cooperationthe situation in Ukraine and the plan proposed by Beijing to resolve the crisis.
“We look with interest at China’s proposals to resolve the crisis in Ukraine,” he said Putin to Xi Jinping at the beginning of their meeting in the Kremlin -. In our meeting we will have the opportunity to discuss the Chinese plan. We are open to negotiations but a diplomatic solution for Ukraine must take into account the “principle of the indivisible security of all countries”.
The Chinese president told his Russian counterpart that Moscow and Beijing “share similar goals”. “Our countries must have close ties,” he said Xi calling Putin “a dear friend” –. China pays great attention to the development of relations with Russia, as this has its own historical logic, we are the largest neighboring countries, we are partners in global strategic cooperation.”