In a phone chat on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin informed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that Russia is eager to engage high-level discussions with Ukraine, according to China’s foreign ministry.

Despite mounting Russian military attacks, China has refused to term Russia’s behavior in Ukraine a “invasion” or criticize Moscow.

According to a statement on the Chinese foreign ministry website, Putin reminded Xi that the US and NATO have long ignored Russia’s genuine security concerns, reneged on their agreements, and continued to increase military deployment eastward, putting Russia’s strategic bottom line at risk.

Putin was quoted as stating that Russia is prepared to hold high-level talks with Ukraine.

China has frequently urged a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

China supports Russia and Ukraine in resolving the issue through negotiation, Xi told Putin, according to the ministry.

Xi also called for all sides to abandon a Cold War mentality, respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and form a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism through negotiation, according to the statement.

Xi said China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, according to the statement.