Premier Li Keqiang did not meet Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko during the Asia-Europe Meeting in Italy because of "full schedule", according to China's State Council.

In an statement provided to China Daily, the State Council said that Premier Li was not able to meet Ukraine president since "Li's schedule was already full and that the bilateral meeting could not be realized on the sidelines of the ASEM".

Previously, Poroshenko brought up a request to meet Li during the biennial meeting, which was held in Milan, Italy, from Thursday to Friday.

The statement said Li had asked Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to pass on his greetings to Poroshenko when Wang met his Ukraine counterpart.