Leaders from China, France and Germany voiced joint support Tuesday for Russia and Ukraine to continue peace talks and reach a negotiated settlement to end the conflict.
In a virtual summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China is “deeply grieved by the outbreak of war again on the European continent,” according to a statement released by Chinese foreign ministry.
Xi said that the pressing task for now is to “prevent the tense situation from escalating or even running out of control.” He also called for “maximum restraint to prevent a massive humanitarian crisis.”
He added that the international community needs to jointly support the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and encourage the two sides to keep up momentum in the negotiations and bring about a peaceful outcome.
Describing the Ukraine conflict as the Europe's “worst crisis since World War II,” Macron and Scholz said the two countries support reaching a settlement through negotiation and giving peace a chance.
The two European leaders said their countries are ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote talks for peace, and prevent further escalation that may worsen the humanitarian crisis.
The trilateral summit came as the Ukraine-Russian conflict entered its 13th day since the war broke out on Feb. 24. The Russian attacks slowed due to strong resistance from Ukrainian troops while rounds of peace talks stalled.
To prevent a massive humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, China has proposed a six-point initiative to “make sure the humanitarian operations abided by the principles of neutrality and impartiality,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.
Wang said during a press conference on Monday that safe and smooth humanitarian aid activities, including rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, should be provided.
He said that civilians should be protected from the conflict and foreign nationals in Ukraine should be allowed to depart safely. He also said that U.N.’s coordinating role in channeling humanitarian aid should be supported.
Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com) editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
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