Xi talking with Putin: "Road to peace talks on Ukraine will not be smooth"

Russia' leader Vladimir Putin has told China's President Xi Jinping he's keen to ramp up military cooperation this as he hailed the two countries' efforts to counter Western influence. Facing unprecedented Western sanctions over Moscow's assault against Ukraine, Putin is hoping to strengthen political, economic and military ties with China. Moscow's offensive in Ukraine is however a sensitive issue for Beijing, which has sought to position itself as neutral. Beijing has however offered diplomatic backing to its strategic ally Russia.