• Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin discussed improving US-Russia relations in a recent phone call.
• China supports efforts to find a political resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
• A potential summit between Putin and Trump is being prepared, with no fixed date announced yet.
• China reinforces its stance of neutrality while advocating for peace talks regarding Ukraine.
• Putin is scheduled to visit China for a major summit later this month.

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the positive development of US-Russia relations during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The conversation occurred amid plans for a potential summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump aimed at addressing the conflict in Ukraine. Xi expressed, "China is glad to see Russia and the United States maintain contact, improve their relations, and promote a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis," highlighting Beijing's supportive stance on the ongoing discussions, according to trtglobal, channelnewsasia, and indiatimes.

The phone conversation took place at Putin's request and lasted approximately two hours. Xi reiterated China’s commitment to peace negotiations in Ukraine, stating, "Complex issues have no simple solutions," according to reports from several state media outlets including Al Jazeera and SCMP. Xi's assurances signal a continuous alignment with Russia while maintaining a facade of neutrality in the geopolitical discourse surrounding the Ukraine war.

Talks between Putin and Trump are expected sometime next week, yet no firm details have been released regarding the date or location. Russian officials have mentioned that a possible venue for this summit might be in China, with discussions stressing the urgency of reaching a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, which has been ongoing since February 2022. Xi communicated the hope for an outcome that supports long-term peace, as elucidated by trtglobal and indiatimes.

During the conversation, Xi and Putin also discussed upcoming diplomatic engagements, which include the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and other significant events in China later this month. However, experts have expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of Trump and Putin's talks towards achieving a sustainable ceasefire or favorable terms for Ukraine, indicating a complex geopolitical landscape, as highlighted by SCMP and Al Jazeera.