German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine with China's President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, saying it was important that the two economic powers discuss difficult topics.

Germany's government says that Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first such conversation in two years.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for Beijing and Berlin to develop ties with a "strategic" and "long-term" perspective Tuesday as he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Rio de Janeiro, state media said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday he would discuss the delivery of dual-use goods with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit, following a report that a Chinese factory is producing military drones for Russia.

China has refuted reports it has been supplying Russia with attack drones as European Union foreign ministers met Monday to discuss the alleged evidence. "China handles the export of military products prudently and responsibly,

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned China against supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine with military equipment at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday. Baerbock said supporters of Russia must understand that the Ukraine war concerns Europe's "core security interests" and for this reason backing Russia "must and will have consequences" for China.

European Union foreign ministers are discussing intelligence showing drones are being produced for the Russian military in Xinjiang.