the president of China, Xi Jinpingarrived this Monday at Russia for a summit with its Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in which they discuss the plan of Beijing peace over the conflict in Ukraine.

Xi was honored upon his arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport around 10:00 GMT, according to footage broadcast by Russian television. The Chinese president confirmed that this three-day visit to Russia will give “new impetus” to relations between Beijing and Moscow. in statements from Russian news agencies.

China is “willing to stand resolutely on Russia’s side” for the sake of “genuine multilateralism” and “multipolarity in the world,” he added. According to the Kremlin, Xi and Putin, who they hold an informal meeting on Mondays and official discussions on Tuesdayswill talk about the plan Beijing proposed last month to resolve the conflict with Ukraine.

Having participated in the recent diplomatic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Beijing wants to position itself as a mediator in Ukraine. For Beijing and Moscow it is mainly about show the strength of your relationshipat a time when the two countries are dealing with tensions with Western powers.

For Putin, who is increasingly isolated internationally, Xi’s visit is especially important as the International Criminal Court (ICC) last weekan arrest warrant against him for “war crimes” in Ukraine.

“I look forward to working with President Putin to jointly adopt a new vision for relations,” Xi wrote in an article published Monday in the Russian Gazette, also reported by China’s state-run Xinhua agency.

It is “a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace,” he added.

Putin, for his part, applauded “China’s willingness to play a constructive role in the resolutionof the conflict and estimates that “Russian-Chinese relations have reached their highest point,” in a text published Monday in a Chinese newspaper.

Kiev call

China has not publicly condemned the Russian offensive and criticizes the United States for supplying weapons to Ukraine.

End of February, Beijing presented a 12-point plan to push for peace negotiations and respect for territorial integrity. The Kremlin accused Washington on Monday of fomenting the conflict in Ukraine and “flooding” this country with weapons.

Ukraine on Monday reiterated its calls for Moscow to withdraw its troops, assuring that for Beijing’s plan to succeed “the surrender or withdrawal of Russian occupation forces from Ukrainian territory” was necessary.

Beijing’s position has been criticized by Western nations, who believe it provides diplomatic cover for the Russian offensive and that its proposals lack practical solutions.

The United States has already indicated during Xi’s visit to Moscow that it will not support any new Chinese call for a ceasefire.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Chinese leader may be planning his first phone call with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky since the start of the conflict.