Vladimir Putin has suggested that the basis for ending the conflict could be China's peace plan for Ukraine.
But Mr. Putin said the proposal could be put forward only "when they are ready for it in the West and in Kyiv".
On Tuesday in Moscow, the Russian president met with Xi Jinping, the president of China, to talk about the conflict and their bilateral ties.
The plan from China, which was released last month, does not specifically demand that Russia abandon Ukraine.
Without offering any concrete suggestions, it lists 12 points that ask for peace negotiations and respect for national sovereignty.
However, Ukraine has maintained that Russia must leave its territory before any negotiations can take place, and there is no indication that Russia is prepared to do so.Calling for a cease-fire prior to Russia's withdrawal, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, "would effectively be supporting the ratification of the Russian conquest," he said on Monday.
"Many provisions of the Chinese peace plan can be taken as the basis for settling the conflict in Ukraine, whenever the West and Kyiv are ready for it," Mr. Putin said during a joint news conference following the conclusion of his discussions with Mr. Xi.
However, he continued, Russia had yet to witness such "readiness" on the other side.
Standing next to the Russian president, Mr. Xi declared that China was on the "right side of history" and that his government supported peace and discussion.In an effort to portray Beijing as the potential broker of peace, he asserted once more that China had an "impartial position" on the conflict in Ukraine.Increasing commerce, energy, and political ties between the two countries were also topics of discussion.President Putin declared that "China is the top trading partner of Russia," promising to maintain and even increase the "high level" of trade attained in 2017.Russian official media reports that the two leaders also:two joint documents were signed, one outlining economic cooperation plans and the other outlining plans to strengthen the Russia-China relationship.
reached a deal on a pipeline that will transport Russian gas from Siberia to China via Mongolia.
A nuclear war "must never be unleashed," everyone agreed.
discussed their disapproval of the new Aukus accord, a defense deal between the US, the UK, and Australia
expressed concern about "military and security issues" related to Nato's expanding presence in Asia.
In the West, there are growing worries that China might back Russia militarily.
The head of Nato Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels: "We haven't seen any evidence that China is delivering lethal weapons to Russia but we have seen some indications that this has been a request from Russia and that this is an issue that is being considered by the Chinese authorities in Beijing.
The close ties between China and Russia do not form a "military-political alliance," according to a joint statement issued by the two nations following the meeting between the two leaders.
The relationship "does not constitute a bloc, does not have a combative nature, and is not directed against third countries," they added.
The Kremlin welcomed Mr. Xi with fanfare on Tuesday morning as he came for a second day of negotiations.
He expressed his "great happiness" at being in Moscow and praised the "frank, friendly, and open" nature of their discussions.
Days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest order for President Putin on war crimes charges, he paid a visit to Russia.
Fumio Kishida, the prime minister of Japan, made a surprise trip to Kyiv to coincide with the state visit, making him the first Japanese leader to tour a nation in conflict since World War Two.
On Mr. Kishida's request, President Zelensky declared he would participate in the G7 summit in Japan in May Read More On BBC News
