Xi in Call With Putin Reaffirms Support for Russian Security

  • Kremlin says Chinese leader notes ‘legitimacy’ of its actions
  • U.S. has pressed Xi to be more critical toward Putin

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing, on Feb. 4. 

Photographer: Alexei Druzhinin/AFP/Getty Images

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Chinese President Xi Jinping held his second phone call with Vladimir Putin since his Russian counterpart invaded Ukraine in late February, where he reiterated support for Russia’s security concerns, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The report of the conversation, which took place on Xi’s 69th birthday, largely repeated China’s prior comments on Russia including a call for Putin and other nations to work toward a solution on Ukraine.