Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping hold telephone talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday, highlighting their solidarity. Russia's presidential office said Putin updated Xi on the recent talks between Russia and the US, apparently referring to last week's meeting between high-ranking diplomats from Moscow and Washington.

During that meeting in Saudi Arabia, Russia and the US agreed to choose negotiators for talks to end the fighting in Ukraine. China's foreign ministry says Xi welcomed Moscow's suggestion, calling it "positive efforts to resolve the crisis." The ministry also says that Putin and Xi agreed to maintain communication.