China’s Xi Discusses Ukraine Crisis With Putin as US Deadline Arrives

The CCP leader told Putin that he is pleased to see Moscow improve ties with Washington, according to China’s foreign ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with his Chinese counterpart at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 8, 2025. Pavel Bednyakov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping discussed the Ukraine crisis with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call on Aug. 8, according to Beijing’s foreign ministry.

The exchange came ahead of a potential meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. It also coincided with a deadline set by Trump for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.