Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a reception in Moscow on March 21.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has left Russia, wrapping up a three-day visit during which he and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a series of documents on "strategic cooperation" between Beijing and Moscow.
Xi's visit was his first to Russia in four years and came amid Moscow's deepening international isolation over its invasion of Ukraine.
Putin described as "successful and constructive" talks at the Kremlin, while Xi said one of the agreements signed by the two authoritarian leaders brings ties into a "new era" of cooperation.
"We signed a statement on deepening the strategic partnership and bilateral ties which are entering a new era," Xi said following talks with Putin on March 21 intended to cement the "no limits" partnership the two leaders announced just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
On the war in Ukraine, Xi said Beijing backed a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
"We are guided by the principles of the United Nations...and promote a peaceful settlement" of fighting in Ukraine, Xi said. "We are always for peace and dialogue," he added, reiterating China's "neutral position" on Ukraine.
Western countries have dismissed a Chinese peace proposal -- a 12-point paper calling for a de-escalation and eventual cease-fire in Ukraine -- because it echoes Russian talking points.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby dismissed Xi's mediation efforts, saying China does not have an impartial position on the war.
Kirby also told reporters at the White House that nothing that came out of the Xi-Putin meeting indicated the war would end soon.
Kirby said it was clear to see during the meeting that Putin hopes to obtain lethal weapons from China.
"You can see in what Mr. Putin is doing...that he's having resource difficulties" and is trying to overcome them, Kirby said.
Kirby added that one reason the United States opposes a cease-fire at this time is because it would give Putin time to make up for the resource shortfall.
There is no evidence China has agreed to provide lethal weapons to Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said earlier on March 21 in Brussels. Western countries have warned China that it risks punishing economic sanctions if it sends lethal weapons to Russia.
During the visit, Xi paid tribute to the "constructive talks" he held with Putin, referring to an expansion of trade and economic cooperation with Russia, including the export of more Chinese electronic goods.
Putin said that additional gas deliveries to China had been agreed, and that the two countries planned to expand their transport links by building roads and bridges.
A joint statement said the burgeoning partnership between the two countries had reached its highest level ever, but the statement said it was not directed against any other country and did not constitute a "military-political alliance."
Relations between Russia and China "do not constitute a bloc, do not have a confrontational nature and are not directed against third countries," the joint statement said.
