Ukraine war: China calls for direct peace talks with Russia, offers help to ‘build bridges’

‘The earlier we start talking, the sooner peace will come’, China’s UN envoy Geng Shuang tells Security Council meeting on Ukraine war

All conflicts must end around negotiation table, Geng says, as China’s Eurasian affairs envoy visits region again to promote a diplomatic resolution

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Geng Shuang, China’s envoy to the United Nations, has called on the parties concerned to gradually build consensus and jointly explore feasible solutions. Photo: CCTV

Published: 6:00pm, 10 Mar 2024

China has called for “direct dialogue” between Russia and Ukraine, saying it is willing to play its part to “build bridges” to bring the two sides to the table to end the conflict now in its third year.

“China calls on the parties concerned to remain calm and restrained, strengthen direct contact and dialogue, gradually build consensus, and jointly explore feasible solutions,” Chinese envoy to the UN Geng Shuang told a United Nations Security Council meeting on the conflict on Friday.

“We are willing to continue to maintain communication and contact with all parties, build consensus for a ceasefire and an end to the war, pave the way and build bridges for dialogue and peace talks, make unremitting efforts and play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the crisis.”

There were “no winners in conflicts and confrontations” and all conflicts must end around the negotiation table, Geng added.

“The earlier we start talking, the sooner peace will come.”

Geng’s statement came during a second shuttle diplomacy trip in less than a year by Beijing’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui.

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