Putin calls Xi a 'great friend' during May 9 talks in Moscow

RIA Novosti reported the start of the talks.

Putin thanked Xi Jinping for his visit to Moscow in celebration of May 9. He mentioned that the number of Chinese soldiers at the Moscow parade would be the largest among foreign troops. 

In turn, Xi Jinping said at a meeting with Putin that he was “very happy to take part in the May 9 celebrations.”

In addition, during the talks, Putin called Xi Jinping a “great friend” and said that he would be happy to visit China to celebrate the anniversary of the victory over Japan.

Xi Jinping stated that the Russian and Chinese peoples, 80 years ago, “at the cost of heavy losses, achieved a great victory, making a huge historical contribution to world peace and the progress of mankind.”

According to TASS, the Chinese delegation brought a gramophone, a console table decorated with Chinese-style carvings, and other souvenirs to the Kremlin.

Putin stated that he and Xi Jinping had a "deep and meaningful" exchange of thoughts during their talks in a narrow format.

Around 1:40 p.m., RIA Novosti reported that the official negotiations between Putin and Xi Jinping had concluded after 3.5 hours. They clarified that the issue of Ukrainian settlement was "not yet" discussed during the talks.

• On May 7, Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow to participate in the May 9 parade. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev announced that he would not visit Russia.