Xi lamented the state of the world, according to his govt's statement, observing that 'the prevailing trend of peace and development is facing serious challenges'
Vladimir Medinsky, who led the Russian negotiators in several rounds of talks with Ukraine, said that the sides have narrowed their differences on the issue of Ukraine dropping its bid to join NATO
Earlier, Ukraine's armed forces said Russian troops have used almost their entire stockpile of missiles and some types of ammunition
It came just days after Francis told the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, that the concept of a just war was obsolete since wars are never justifiable
Conflict and confrontation are not in anyone's interest, and peace and security are what the international community should treasure the most, Xi was quoted as saying by the Chinese Foreign Ministry
'If there is a ceasefire or some sort of a deal, gold could drop fairly quickly,' said Edward Meir, analyst with ED&F Man Capital Markets
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, and has been attacking schools, hospitals and buildings where people sought safety in various cities.
The newly appointed Russian envoy added that India is a "world pharmacy" and a leading manufacturer of drug copies that are no worse than the original.
The event included well-known singer Oleg Gazmanov singing Made in the USSR, with the opening lines Ukraine and Crimea, Belarus and Moldova, It's all my country.
A fourth year medical student in Kharkiv city, Naveen was killed when he ventured out of his bunker to get some food, water and exchange money
Russia has exported 360,000 barrels a day of oil to India in March so far, nearly four times the 2021 average.
China's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has already troubled western observers
'We know what we need to do, how to do it and at what cost. And we will absolutely accomplish all of our plans,' Putin told a rally at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium
Moreover, Ukraine plans to deliver humanitarian aid to Balakleya and Izyum in the Kharkiv Oblast, reported The Kyiv Independent
Moscow has previously said it was close to agreeing a formula that would keep Ukraine neutral, one of its key demands
Brent crude futures rose $1.14, or 1%, to $107.78 a barrel at 1003 GMT, after surging nearly 9% on Thursday in the largest percentage gain since mid-2020
Some moderation in internal commodity prices -- including crude oil -- had pushed investors to make a comeback in the markets
FIFA barred Russia from World Cup Qatar 2022 in Qatar and other international sports competitions
Oil prices remained above $100 a barrel after slim progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine raised the spectre of tighter sanctions and a prolonged disruption to crude supply
Ukrainian Armed Forces have said that Russian troops cannot resume the attack on Kiev in the near future due to their losses, and instead they are focusing on the separatist Donbas region