Lavrov, Chinese envoy meet to discuss situation around Ukraine crisis

MOSCOW. March 18 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui to discuss the Ukraine situation on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"There was an extensive discussion of the situation around the Ukraine crisis and ways out of it. Li Hui informed [Lavrov] about his recent European tour held to synchronize watches and assess the prospects for a political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

Lavrov "confirmed the Russian side's openness to a solution based on negotiations, highlighting that Russia views participation in any events promoting the Zelensky formula, regardless of its external appearance, as unacceptable," it said.

The discussion "proceeded in a traditionally friendly and trusting atmosphere," it said.

Lavrov also received Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization [SCO] Zhan Ming, and the two "exchanged views on a broad range of issues concerning the SCO's activities," it said.

Lavrov expressed gratitude to the heads of observer missions from China and the SCO for their visits to the Russian capital.

Li Hui and Zhan Ming were visiting Moscow as observers at the Russian presidential election, the Foreign Ministry said.