Kiev: Since Russia's military offensive against Kiev began last year, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has reportedly complained that he has had no direct talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and wants to change that.

"We're ready to see them here," Zelensky said in an interview with The Associated Press published Wednesday. Before the war started, we were in touch, but we haven't been in touch for over a year.

Beijing unveiled a 12-point plan last month to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, urging a ceasefire and a "sustainable European security architecture" as opposed to using sanctions and "maximum pressure" to do so promoted.

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China has countered US pressure by condemning Russia in an effort to play a "constructive role" in the crisis and supporting Western anti-Russia sanctions. The Chinese proposal has been dismissed by US officials as one that would only benefit Moscow.

In Kiev, Zelensky has hosted a parade of Western politicians, including three UK prime ministers and US President Joe Biden. Last month, he said that while he was open to China's peace plan, he would only accept a deal in which Russia withdrew all its forces from Ukrainian territory.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Wednesday that she was unable to confirm whether Zelensky's government had indeed invited Xi to Kiev. She could not even predict whether the Chinese leader would accept the offer or not.

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Xi to Moscow for a historic state visit, cementing the values of the partnership and signing a number of bilateral agreements with Beijing.

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Earlier this week, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described the summit as "very troubling". Washington officials have claimed that China is considering sending arms to Russia and warned that there would be "consequences" for doing so.