Xi made the remarks during a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, state broadcaster CCTV said.

China will focus on promoting peace talks, and make efforts for a cease-fire as soon as possible, Xi told Zelensky, according to the report.

Xi said in early April he was willing to speak with Zelensky. Zelensky had repeatedly asked Xi to meet him, including after the Chinese leader visited Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month.