The US has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to pressure Vladimir Putin to “stop the war crimes” in Ukraine.
On Mr. Xi’s first trip to Moscow since the invasion, they will speak informally once again on Tuesday.
The National Security Council spokesperson for the White House urged Mr. Xi to ask his Russian counterpart to pull out soldiers from Ukraine.
According to John Kirby, requesting a cease-fire would not suffice.
He added: “We hope President Xi would pressure President Putin to stop bombing Ukrainian cities, hospitals, and schools, to stop the war crimes and atrocities, and to remove his soldiers.
“But we are concerned that instead China will reiterate calls for a ceasefire that leaves Russian forces inside Ukraine’s sovereign territory and any ceasefire that does not address the removal of Russian forces from Ukraine would effectively ratify Russia’s illegal conquests.”