Beijing Warns Against 'adding Fuel' To Ukraine Crisis

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that China opposes any moves that “add fuel to the flames” in Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministry said the two spoke by phone on Saturday.

Wang said the Ukraine crisis is something China does not want to see and that it should be resolved in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

He called for negotiations to resolve the immediate conflict, as well as talks on creating a balanced European security mechanism. He said the US and Europe should pay attention to the negative impact of NATO’s eastward expansion on Russia’s security.

The US State Department said Blinken had told Wang that the world is watching to see which nations stand up for the principles of freedom and sovereignty.

It said Blinken had underscored that the international community is acting in unison in response to Russian aggression and ensuring that Moscow will pay a high price.

The Foreign Ministry said Wang pointed out that the Ukraine crisis can only be solved through dialogue and negotiations.

The Chinese side, he said, hopes that the fighting will stop as soon as possible, the situation on the ground will be eased, the security of civilians and property will be effectively guaranteed, and a large-scale humanitarian crisis will be prevented.

Wang said Beijing supports every effort conducive to de-escalation and political settlement of the situation, while opposing any moves which are adverse to promoting a diplomatic solution and add fuel to the flames. (Reuters, Xinhua)