A building is damaged in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, April 24,2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

But Peskov said that Russia still needs to achieve the aims of its “special military operation” in Ukraine and that there is no plan for any new contacts between President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping in the near future.

European Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer said the recent phone call between Xi and Zelensky is an important first step by China in exercising its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council. Mamer encouraged China to call on Russia to end tensions with Ukraine and lay a foundation for peace.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he hopes the phone call will be an important first step toward peace.