China Supports RU-UKR Peace Conference "At Appropriate Time"

MNI London: Xinhua reporting comments from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin following their 'informal' meeting in Beijing, China.

• Xinhua: "President Xi Jinping said he is ready to stay in close contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin to steer the development of China-Russia relations in the right direction."
• Xinhua: "Putin says he is willing to maintain close communication with Chinese President Jinping to implement important consensus reached between them, among others."
• Xinhua: "[Xi] says China supports convening of an international peace conference recognized by Russia and Ukraine at an appropriate time with equal participation and fair discussion of all options."
• Xinhua: "Putin says Russia appreciates China’s objective, just and balanced position on the Ukraine issue,” and “welcomes China to continue to play and important and constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukraine issue.”
• The Swiss government reports that roughly 50 countries have accepted an invitation to attend a Ukraine peace summit in Lucerne June 15-16. The summit is unlikely to deliver any significant progress towards a peace settlement is expected to focus on Ukraine's unilateral peace plan and strategy to mitigate risks from the war.
• The Swiss government notes that China has been invited to attend the summit but an invitation has not been extended to Russia - one of the conditions noted by Xi above.
• Politico notes that, "Accompanying Putin on the trip are high-ranking officials including new Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu... [with] Talks are expected to focus on the growing defense cooperation between Russia and China."