Vladimir Putin

"Change is coming that hasn't happened in 100 years. And we are driving this change together," Xi told Putin via his interpreter - words sure to set alarm bells ringing in the West. "Please, take care, dear friend," he added, gripping Putin's hand warmly before being waved off by the Russian President who bid Xi a "safe journey".

"We are for the use of Chinese yuan in settlements between Russia and the countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. I am sure that these forms of settlements in yuan will be developed between Russian partners and their counterparts in third countries," RT News quoted Putin as saying. Two thirds of current trade between Moscow and Beijing is carried out in national currencies -- the yuan and the ruble, the Russian President noted.

The visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Moscow is seen as a boost for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is subject to an International Criminal Court warrant over accusations of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. The two leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict, and Putin praised Beijing's 12-point position paper on the conflict.

"We believe that many of the provisions of the peace plan put forward by China are consonant with the Russian stance and can be taken as a foundation for a peaceful settlement when they are ready for it in the West and in Kiev. However, so far we have not observed such readiness on their part," Putin stated, RT reported.

Putin made the remarks on Monday in response to China's "plan settle ongoing Ukraine crisis". The plan aimed to "end the Russia-Ukraine war" was released by China in February. However, the US has warned it could be a "stalling tactic", the BBC reported.

ICC prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan had sent a petition on February 22 to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber to obtain warrants for the arrest of Putin and Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, whom he accused of being responsible for the "illegal deportation of children from Ukraine".

In a video, Putin is seen driving a car through streets at night and speaking to people, the BBC reported on Sunday. It was, however, not known when the footage was taken. During the visit, the Russian President is also reported to have met top military commanders in Rostov-on-Don city.

The ICC accused President Putin of committing war crimes in Ukraine - something President Biden said the Russian leader had "clearly" done, BBC reported. The claims focus on the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia since Moscow's invasion in 2022. Moscow has denied the allegations and denounced.

The court alleges he is responsible for war crimes, including the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia, the BBC reported. It says the crimes were committed in Ukraine at least from February 24, 2022 - when Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

The trip will last until Wednesday. Xi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss "aspects of further development of comprehensive partnership," according to a statement from the Kremlin. There will also be a discussion of the international agenda and cooperation between the two nations in world affairs.