ACCORDING to state media RIA Novosti, Russian Vladimir Putin told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he had carefully read China’s plan for a Ukrainian settlement.
Putin said that Beijing’s plan could be discussed, and Russia is always open to negotiation.
Putin congratulated Xi Jinping on his re-election as Chinese president and noted the efficiency of the Chinese economy and governance.
Xi Jinping calls Putin a “dear friend” and said expressed confidence that the Russian people will support Putin in next year’s March 24 presidential elections.
Russia’s Upper House of Parliament is expected to start the presidential campaign in September of this year.
Meanwhile, the United States just announced another 350 million US dollars worth of military aid package in weapons and equipment for Ukraine.
Media reports say that this includes ammunition, high mobility artillery rocket systems, fuel tankers, trucks and riverine boats.
The U.S has so far provided over 32.5 billion US dollars in military aid to Ukraine.
