Vladimir Putin said that Russia and China face “common threats”, as he welcomed President Xi Jinping to Moscow for a three-day visit.

The Russian president described Mr Xi‘s trip as a “landmark” event that “reaffirms Russia-China’s special nature”.

This outlet is the official newspaper for the Chinese Communist Party.

In the Kremlin’s Rossiiskaya Gazeta newspaper, Mr Xi claimed a 12-point plan drafted last month by Beijing to end the war with Ukraine reflects the “unity of the world community’s views”.

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Monday’s visit by the Chinese leader is the first foreign leader to visit China since . An arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court for his Russian counterpart.

More than 40 justice ministers from over 40 countries, including Britain’s Dominic Raab will be visiting London later to assist with the investigation into war crimes, including the kidnapping of children.

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Putin has ‘high hopes’ for Xi Talks

After a highly criticized visit to Mariupol last year, Mr Putin wrote that he and Mr Xi had high expectations for the upcoming negotiations.

He described his opponent as a “good friend”, with whom he has the “warmest relationship”, and added that Russia’s relations to China are “consistently strengthening” and at “the best level in their history”.

He wrote, “We have reached an unprecedented degree of trust in our diplomatic dialogue, our strategic collaboration has become truly comprehensive and is on the verge of a new age.”

China’s foreign ministry confirmed Friday that Mr Xi was visiting. Russia claimed that Mr Putin invited Mr Xi.

According to the Kremlin Mr Putin will meet with Mr Xi one-to-one on Monday before continuing negotiations on Tuesday and making a statement to media.

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Xi urges ‘pragmatism’ on Ukraine

The article by the Chinese president was more about the war in Ukraine. Beijing tried to find a balance between calling out for peace and criticizing Russia during this time.

The US and NATO have denied accusations made by Mr Xi’s government that it was considering supplying arms to support the illegal invasion. Mr Putin insists in his article that the West “fuelled” the invasion.

Putin stated that he was open to political and diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine crisis and welcomed Beijing’s ceasefire proposals. This article was promoted by the Chinese leader.

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According to Mr Xi, the peace plan, which includes respecting the sovereignty of all nations and ending any sanctions, is “constructive” as it promotes a political settlement.

He said that complex problems don’t have simple solutions, but that an end to war would ensure “the stability and sustainability of global production as well as supply chains.”

He wrote that a solution can be found “if everybody is guided by the idea of common, comprehensive and joint security and continues dialogue and consultations in an equally prudent and pragmatic fashion”.

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Economic partnership is a ‘priority’

Both Mr Putin and Mr Xi stressed the importance economic partnership between their countries.

Since the start of the conflict in February 2022 Russia has been largely cut off from Western markets. However, Mr Putin stated that Russia’s trade with China was “growing”, further strengthening his country’s sovereignty.

Moscow and Beijing want “an all-encompassing partnership”, Mr Xi stated, despite the world being threatened by “acts de hegemony and despotism and bullying”.

They signed a new digital trade agreement with the UK for Ukraine to support their economy during wartime and future reconstruction.

It allows Ukrainian companies to access UK financial services and allows them trade more efficiently through electronic transactions, E-signatures and E-contracts.

The principle agreement was reached in November, with the deal virtually signed on Monday.