Istanbul (Daily Sabah and agencies)- In a tense standoff with the US and Europe, China has backed Russia in its stance over the Ukrainian situation.

"The foreign ministers of both countries exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. They noted the coincidence of positions on this aspect," a spokesperson for the Russian ministry said, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

The discussion came after Russia decided to deploy troops in Crimea in an effort to protect ethnic Russians, causing a reaction from Russia's G8 partners, including the US and Britain.

China's state news agency Xinhua blamed western powers of acting in a cold-war like manner towards Russia, at a critical time when Moscow is acting as a core body in diplomatic talks on the crisis in Crimea.

"Based on the fact that Russia and Ukraine have deep cultural, historical and economic connections, it is time for Western powers to abandon their Cold War thinking. Stop trying to exclude Russia from the political crisis they failed to mediate, and respect Russia's unique role in mapping out the future of Ukraine," Xinhua wrote in an opinion piece.

"Right now, the West should show more appreciation for what Russia can do to solve the crisis in Ukraine. Given Russia's historical and cultural influence in the country, the Kremlin is the piece that cannot be missing in this political puzzle."