KATHMANDU, Aug 9: Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with the leaders of China, India and three former Soviet states on Friday to update them on his contacts with the United States over the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.
Putin’s diplomatic outreach came two days after he met Steve Witkoff, an envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Moscow. Following the meeting, the Kremlin signalled that a summit between Putin and Trump could be held as early as next week, though no date, venue or agenda have been disclosed.
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Trump has set a Friday deadline for Moscow to agree to a peace deal in the 3½-year-old conflict, warning of new sanctions against Russia and countries that continue purchasing its exports. China and India remain the largest buyers of Russian oil.
According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, President Xi Jinping told Putin during their phone call that Beijing welcomes continued Russia-U.S. engagement and improved relations as a way to promote a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis. China is both a key supporter of Russia in its standoff with the West and its largest trading partner.
Putin is scheduled to visit China in September for events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.