China hopes all parties 'grasp' opportunities for peace in Russia-Ukraine war
Beijing ‘ready to work with international community to play constructive role in advancing political settlement of crisis,’ says Foreign Ministry spokesperson
ISTANBUL
China on Tuesday expressed hope that all parties will "grasp" opportunities for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war, which entered its fifth year.
"We support any efforts conducive to peace," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a news conference in Beijing.
In recent days, a door of dialogue has been opened in the Ukraine crisis, and various parties maintain a momentum of dialogue, she said, calling dialogue and negotiation the “only way out for the settlement of the crisis.”
"We hope all parties will grasp the opportunities and achieve a comprehensive, lasting, abiding peace deal. China is ready to work with the international community to play a constructive role in advancing the political settlement of the crisis," she added.
Mao also said that Beijing’s “position is objective and clear... we always advocate for the end of fighting," in response to a question whether China benefited from the war.
China will "never add fuel and exploit the situation" for its agenda and "we do not accept shift-blaming," she added.
Thousands of civilians and combatants have been killed, while millions of people across the Ukraine-Russia border have been displaced since Feb. 24, 2022, when the war began.
