President Xi holds phone conversation with Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday ahead of an expected summit between the latter and US President Donald Trump.

Putin briefed Xi on the recent communication between Russia and the US. Putin noted  Russia is ready to keep close communication with China, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Xi said China welcomed continued contact between Russia and the US to improve their relations and to push towards a political solution to the Ukraine crisis.

Xi said complicated issues did not have a simple solution. He added that China would continue its long-standing position of supporting talks to resolve regional conflicts.