In show of support for Putin, China's Xi Jinping heads to Russia next week

Plans for a visit come as China has been offering to broker peace in Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Moscow from March 20 to 22 in an apparent show of support to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the Chinese foreign ministry said Friday.

The Kremlin on Friday also announced the visit, saying it will take place 'at the invitation of Vladimir Putin.'

Xi's visit comes after Beijing floated a 12-point peace plan in an attempt to end the conflict triggered by Moscow's Ukraine invasion.

The news agency Associated Press quoted a statement issued by the Kremlin which announced that Xi and Putin will discuss issues of further development of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China, as well as exchange views in the context of deepening Russian-Chinese cooperation in the international arena.

The two leaders will also sign important bilateral documents, the statement further read.

The announcement comes a day after China's foreign minister, Qin Gang, called for peace talks during a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba. Beijing has attempted to remain neutral in the conflict while maintaining a close relationship with its ally Russia.

Russia's TASS news agency reported in January that Putin had invited Xi to visit in the spring. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that a visit could take place in April or early May.

Beijing has also condemned Western sanctions and accused NATA and the United States of provoking Russia.