Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow today for a three-day visit, giving Russian President Vladimir Putin a strong political boost

Vladimir Putin - Russian politician.

Born on October 7, 1952 in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. Prez against the background of the ongoing fighting in Ukraine, reported the Associated Press, quoted by BTA.

China and Russia described Xi's trip as part of efforts to further deepen their "boundless friendship".

The Kremlin welcomed China's peace plan for Ukraine and said it would be discussed at talks between Putin and Xi, which begin over dinner today.

Beijing has called for a ceasefire, but Washington has flatly rejected the idea because it would consolidate the Kremlin's successes on the battlefield.

Xi's trip to Russia comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday issued an arrest warrant for Putin on war crimes charges.

They issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin

The Kremlin, which does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction, dismissed his move as "legally invalid". 

China's Foreign Ministry today urged the ICC to "respect the jurisdictional immunity" of the head of state and "avoid politicization and double standards".

China views Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy and as a partner in countering what both sides see as American dominance in world affairs, BTA notes.

Vladimir Putin

Russia

China

Xi Jinping

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