Xi expresses respect to Putin for Russian state actions in current crisis - Kremlin

MOSCOW. Fen 25 (Interfax) - The situation around Ukraine was discussed in a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the Kremlin said on Friday.

"The president of Russia informed the PRC chairman in detail about reasons for making the decision to recognize the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic and to conduct a special military operation aimed at saving the civilian population from genocide and ensuring the demilitarization and denazification of the Ukrainian state. Putin also noted that, given the signals which have just been received from Kyiv, he would be willing to send a delegation to Minsk for talks with Ukraine's representatives," the statement said.

"XI underscored his respect for the actions of the Russian leadership in the current crisis," it said.

"An evaluation was given from shared positions of the current international situation. The two sides reaffirmed their readiness for further close coordination and mutual support at the UN and other multilateral venues. [The leaders] noted the unacceptability of illegitimate sanctions used by certain countries to attain their selfish goals. In this respect the leaders emphasized the importance of stepping up practical bilateral cooperation, not least in light of the results of their February 4 talks in Beijing," the statement said.

Putin congratulated Xi and the people of China on the successful winter Olympics and the national team's performance, the press service added.

"It was agreed to continue close personal contact," it said.

Overall, "the conversation was of a constructive and friendly nature, demonstrating the overlapping fundamental approaches to core issues of the international agenda."