Milan, May 8 (LaPresse) – Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have begun at the Kremlin in Moscow. Welcoming Xi, Putin referred to him as a "dear friend." "Dear Mr. President, dear friend, dear Chinese friends, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Moscow. I am very pleased with this new meeting and I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to communicate with you in a personal and direct way," Putin said during the Russia-China talks.