China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin Showcase Deepening Ties

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in person for the first time since the start of the Ukraine war, as the two countries displayed growing ties in the wake of major battlefield setbacks for Moscow.

Mr. Putin told his Chinese counterpart on Thursday that Moscow highly values what he called Beijing’s balanced position regarding the Ukraine crisis. He added that China raised its concerns regarding the conflict and that the Kremlin would clarify its position on Ukraine, without explaining further.