China goes ‘its own way’ on Ukraine as EU pushes for pressure on Russia
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the country will ‘neither stand by nor add fuel to the fire’
- European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell urges Beijing to use influence over Moscow to end the conflict
Beijing will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and will not take advantage of the Ukraine crisis for its own ends, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Ukrainian counterpart on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York on Thursday.
“China has always been committed to pursuing peace and promoting talks. It has never stood idly by, nor has it added fuel to the fire, nor will it take advantage of the opportunity to gain self-interest,” Wang told Dmytro Kuleba.
Kuleba also said on Twitter that Wang “reaffirmed China’s respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its rejection of the use of force as a means of resolving differences”.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Beijing’s position on Ukraine is ‘consistent and clear’
Wang’s talks with Kuleba were also on the same day as a foreign ministers’ meeting at the United Nations, where he restated China’s position that all countries’ sovereignty should be upheld and their security concerns addressed.
He also put out China’s four propositions on Ukraine, including calls for all parties to resume dialogue, eliminate nuclear risks and solve the food crisis.
Wang urged all sides to exercise restraint to de-escalate the situation.
“There is no room for trial and error on the safety of nuclear facilities, and any risk of accidents must be eliminated,” he said.