Putin welcomes China’s controversial proposals for peace in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has welcomed China's proposals for peace in Ukraine at a joint press conference with Xi Jinping in Moscow - a plan the west has warned would allow the Kremlin to "freeze" its territorial gains in the country.

Speaking at the Kremlin during a joint news conference after the second day of talks with China's president, Xi Jinping, Putin said Beijing's peace plan "correlates to the point of view of the Russian Federation" and said that Ukraine's western allies so far have shown no interest in it.

China last month proposed a 12-point peace plan for dealing with the war. The paper largely reiterated Beijing's talking points on the Ukraine war, with calls for dialogue, respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty, and an end to economic sanctions. It urged all parties to avoid nuclear escalation but critically did not suggest Russia withdraw its forces.

On Monday, US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, voiced scepticism over China's "peace" proposals, warning that they could be a "stalling tactic" to help Russian troops on the ground in Ukraine.

"The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms."

Kyiv has previously said that any talks would be contingent on the complete restoration of Ukraine's territory.

Xi, who seeks to play the role of global peacemaker, on Tuesday repeated China's position that it supported peace talks and said that Beijing has always taken an "objective" and "impartial" view of the conflict. He added that he and Putin have "established close relations and built strategic communication".