Putin, Xi to Meet in Russia in Show of Support

China's President Xi Jinping will visit Moscow on Monday for 2 days to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The visit will be Xi's first to Russia since the war began, and it comes as Western countries are increasingly wary of China's move to support Moscow more actively and play a more assertive role in shaping the conflict, at a time when Ukraine is preparing for a much-anticipated spring counteroffensive.

"Throughout last year China has demonstrated that ties with Russia are absolutely normal and unabated despite Russia's aggression against Ukraine," Gabuev said.

He noted that the joint military exercises, as well as visits by senior Chinese and Russian officials, took place as scheduled.

Gabuev mentioned that the peace proposal was in fact intended to provide "diplomatic cover" for Xi's trip to Moscow and support Russia.

He explained that the proposal is also intended to allow China to present itself to countries in the Global South in their quest for peace, while in fact continuing to support Putin.

It's "really just a fig leaf," he added.

Ukrainian officials said they believe the Chinese proposal follows Kremlin efforts to freeze the conflict as it stands, which would let it control occupied regions without making concessions.