India, Feb. 24 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed Beijing's close ties with Russia, saying both the countries are "true friends" who "support each other", state media reported.

The state news agency earlier reported that Xi Jinping spoke to Vladimir Putin on a phone call on Monday "upon invitation" with the Russian leader, where Putin briefed Xi about Russia's talks with the US on peace in Ukraine.

According to a report by Xinhua, Xi said that "history and reality show that China and Russia are good neighbours that cannot be moved away, and true friends" who share both good and bad times. He also added that both countries "support each other and achieve common development".

The phone call comes on the third anniversary of the s...