Vladimir Putin has suggested that the basis for ending the war may be China's peace proposal for Ukraine.
But Mr. Putin stated that the idea could only be presented if preparations had been made "in the West and Kyiv".
On Tuesday in Moscow, the Russian president met with Xi Jinping, the president of China, to talk about the dispute and their bilateral relations.
The plan from China, which was released last month, does not specifically demand that Russia quit Ukraine.
Without offering any concrete suggestions, it lists 12 points that urge for peace negotiations and respect for national sovereignty.
But Ukraine has demanded that Russia leave its land before any negotiations can take place, and there is no indication that Moscow is prepared to do so.
Calling for a cease-fire prior to Russia's withdrawal, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, "would effectively be supporting the confirmation of the Russian invasion," he stated on Monday.
"Several parts of the Chinese peace plan might be accepted as the basis for ending the crisis in Ukraine, whenever the West and Kyiv are ready for it," Mr. Putin said during a joint press conference following the conclusion of his discussions with Mr. Xi.
Yet, he said, Russia has yet to witness similar "readiness" on the other side.
Standing next to the Russian president, Mr. Xi declared that China was on the "right side of history" and that his country supported dialogue and peace.
In an effort to portray Beijing as the possible broker of peace, he asserted once more that China had an "impartial view" on the situation in Ukraine.
Increasing commerce, energy, and political links between the two countries were all topics of discussion.
President Putin declared that "China is the top trading partner of Russia," promising to maintain and even increase the "high level" of commerce attained in 2017.
China and Russia were referred to earlier by Mr. Xi as "big neighboring powers and comprehensive strategic allies."
Russian official media reports that the two leaders also:
Two joint papers were signed, one outlining economic cooperation goals and the other outlining plans to strengthen the Russia-China alliance.
reached a deal on a pipeline that will transport Russian gas from Siberia to China through Mongolia.
A nuclear war "must never be unleashed," everyone agreed.
discussed their disapproval of the new Aukus accord, a defense deal involving the US, the UK, and Australia
expressed worry over NATO's expanding military and security involvement in Asia.
In the West, there are rising worries that China will back Russia militarily.
Speaking in Brussels, Nato leader Jens Stoltenberg said his alliance had not "seen any confirmation that China was transferring deadly weapons to Russia".
But he noted that there were "indications" that Moscow had asked for weaponry and that Beijing was taking the request into consideration.
Following their meeting, China and Russia issued a joint statement in which they stressed that their close relationship did not amount to a "military-political alliance."
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