The Russian president Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that his country is ready to help Chinese businesses replace Western ones that have left Russia because of the war in Ukraine.

Speaking during talks with the Chinese president Xi Jinpingwho is on an official visit to Moscow, Putin also said he has discussed with the Chinese leader the issue of the “Power of Siberia 2” gas pipeline that would transport Russian gas to China.

The Chinese president told the Russian prime minister Michael Mishustin that the two nations should promote “the quality and volume of economic and trade cooperation,” China’s official CCTV broadcast on Tuesday.

Xi arrived in Moscow yesterday on an official visit, his first trip abroad since securing an unprecedented third term earlier this month.

Earlier, Chinese President and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Chinese sentence of 12 points for a ceasefire, according to what the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, revealed.

He did not elaborate on further discussions between the two leaders, saying only that they would have to wait for a joint statement from the two later in the day after the two leaders meet again.

“There was a very thorough exchange of views – a serious discussion in the informal part,” Peskov said, referring to last night’s meeting, which lasted more than four hours.

China’s 12-point document sets out some general principles, but does not contain a detailed plan for ending the war. It also appears to be critical of Western sanctions on Russia, prompting countries such as the US to reject it.