Day two of formal talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have ended with the pair promising a step-up in strategic cooperation.
But there was little movement on China's peace plan for Ukraine, with Mr Putin placing the ball firmly in Ukraine's court.
"Many provisions of the Chinese peace plan can be taken as the basis for settling of the conflict in Ukraine, whenever the West and Kyiv are ready for it," Mr Putin said.
Trade and economic co-operation were the focus of the talks, according to Mr Putin whose country is dealing with increasing economic isolation due to Western sanctions.
Russia stands "ready to meet the Chinese economy's growing demand for energy resources", he said, announcing Russia would help build nuclear power stations in China.
Mr Putin emphasised the nuclear power would be reserved for "peaceful use".
Additionally, "almost all the parameters" of the construction of a new pipeline that would supply Russian gas to China had been agreed on, Mr Putin added.
On the commerce front, Mr Putin said gaps in the market left by Western businesses exiting Russia over the war would be filled by China.
"We are ready to support the Chinese business when it comes to replacing the production of the Western enterprises that have left Russia," Mr Putin said.
The Russian leader also suggested Russia and China could work together to become global superpowers in IT and artificial intelligence.
"By joining our rich scientific potentials and production capabilities, Russia and China can become world leaders in the field of information technology, network security, and artificial intelligence," he said.
Following Mr Putin's address, Mr Xi reflected that talks between the two had been "frank, open and friendly", and reiterated Mr Putin's talking points, hailing agreements to grow economic trade.
The Chinese leader then turned to his plan for peace.
China stands on the right side of history, he said, emphasising that China held an "unbiased position" and could facilitate peace talks.
The two leaders then signed a joint statement saying China had "positively assessed the willingness of the Russian side to make efforts to restart peace talks as soon as possible".
Russia "positively assessed the objective and unbiased position of the Chinese side on the Ukrainian question" in return.
UK supply of ammunition a step along road to 'nuclear collision'
After speaking with Mr Xi, the Russian president offered a warning to the UK over its pledge to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium ammunition.
"If all this happens, Russia will have to respond accordingly, given that the West collectively is already beginning to use weapons with a nuclear component," he said.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the move left "fewer and fewer" steps before a potential "nuclear collision" between Russia and the West.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova referred to the plan as the "Yugoslavia scenario", pointing to evidence the ammunition caused cancer and polluted the environment.
Depleted uranium is used in ammunition because it can penetrate tanks and armour more easily.
"Such rounds are highly effective in defeating modern tanks and armoured vehicles," the UK's Minister of State for Defence Baroness Annabel Goldie said when announcing the plan on Monday.
Japan's PM visits Kyiv
While the Chinese and Russian leaders held talks, 800 kilometres away, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made a surprise visit to Kyiv.
It was a bold statement that while China is hoping to mediate in the conflict, its neighbour and rival Japan is showing indisputable support to Ukraine.
Mr Kishida met with Ukrainian ministers and travelled to Bucha, a nearby town that was the site of alleged war crimes by Russian soldiers.
"I step on the ground of Bucha today, I really feel great anger for all the atrocious acts," he said.
"I would like to give my heartfelt condolences to all the victims and the wounded on behalf of the Japanese nationals."
His government has provided humanitarian aid and non-lethal military support to Ukraine throughout the war.
