Chinese President Xi Jinping​ Arrives At The Kremlin

MNI (London): Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia for a widely anticipated bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• Note: Edited typo (Russian President Vladimir Putin)
• Putin welcomed Xi with comments commending the Chinese economic development and calling Xi a "dear friend."
• Putin's comments to Xi, per Reuters: "We are slightly envious of China's swift development... You've been able to make the [Chinese] state stronger."
• On Ukraine, Putin said: "We have looked at you proposals for the resolution of the Ukraine conflict."
• Putin: "We will discuss your initiative which we view with respect."
• China's recent role in brokering a deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran has bolstered China's credentials as a global diplomatic player but the chances of ceasefire being reached remain remote.
• Neither Ukraine nor Russia have indicated a willingness to discuss a diplomatic resolution to territorial claims over Donbass and Crimea and the optics of Xi making a third high-profile meeting with Putin before a first call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will rankle with Kyiv.
• Western officials remain deeply sceptical of Beijing's intentions and have cautioned against excessive optimism.