Xi Jinping supported Vladimir Putin's position on his war in Ukraine, but refrained from confirming plans to build a key pipeline to redirect Russian gas exports from Europe to Asia, writes the Financial Times.

After talks in Moscow, the leaders of China and Russia signed a joint statement in which they noted the "

However, their talks did not lead to decisive agreements on economic issues - key to helping Moscow withstand Western sanctions.. The lack of substance in Putin's rhetoric over the talks, which he called "

Beijing has offered Moscow an important avenue for economic salvation during the war by increasing its purchases of exported energy and replacing sanctions-restricted Western goods and components..

However, Tuesday's talks showed that further deepening of economic ties is still up for negotiation..

Putin's main goal during the visit of the Chinese leader, whose visit will continue tomorrow, March 22, was to get him to agree to the planned Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline, designed to supply fuel to China through Mongolia. Earlier on Tuesday, Putin spoke of it as a done deal, saying that almost all the parameters of this agreement were finalized..

In a joint speech with Xi after the talks, the Russian president pledged to supply China with at least 98 billion cubic meters of natural gas by the end of 2023 - a figure that can only be reached with the launch of a new pipeline - and noted that Mongolia had already signed the agreement..

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However, Xi remained noticeably silent on the subject.. The big joint statement only says that Russia and China "

Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, said the Kremlin hopes to sign an agreement on the "

“The companies were instructed to work out the details of the project in detail and approach its signing as soon as possible.. Directions were given to ensure that terms and conditions are agreed. We hope it will be this year,” he told reporters, according to the state news agency Ria Novosti..

At the same time, the Chinese leader was more outspoken towards Ukraine.. The joint remarks mostly paraphrased the Kremlin's thesis, warning against " Putin, who has repeatedly suggested using nuclear weapons against the West if it continues to help thwart Russia's failed invasion, has warned that Britain's supply of armor-piercing shells containing depleted uranium could escalate the conflict..

“Russia will be forced to respond accordingly, given that the collective West has begun to use weapons with a nuclear component,” Putin said, without specifying what Russia’s response would be..

In a show of support for Putin, who was the subject of an international arrest warrant last week for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Xi said he invited him to come to China " Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Russian leader could make the trip this year. Ushakov said Putin-Xi meeting was enough to strike fear into the hearts of Russia's opponents.

“They are very nervous, and not without reason. Two great neighboring states solve the most important issues of world politics and bilateral relations. It's quite natural,"

US says China's peace plan legitimizes Russian territorial gains in Ukraine, giving Moscow time to replenish its military for a new offensive.

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Ukraine is also skeptical of the plan but refrains from criticizing China ahead of an expected phone call between Xi and President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, on Tuesday, Zelenskiy said there was still no confirmation of any phone conversation with Xi..