The Chinese government called on Russia and Ukraine to resume dialogue and rejected any recourse to nuclear weapons, in a 12-point document published on Friday, a year after the start of the conflict. “All parties should support Russia and Ukraine to work in the same direction and resume direct dialogue as soon as possible,” said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The ministry also asserts that “nuclear weapons must not be used”, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin brandishing this threat. “Nuclear weapons should not be used and nuclear war should not be waged. The threat or use of nuclear weapons should be opposed,” the document titled “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis” states. »
China also calls on both countries to avoid any attacks on civilians. “The parties (involved) in the conflict must strictly comply with international humanitarian law, avoid attacking civilians or civilian buildings,” the ministry stresses. This war is a delicate issue for Beijing, because of its strong diplomatic and economic ties for several years with Moscow, consolidated by the common interest of counterbalancing Washington.
China on Tuesday said it was “very concerned” about the conflict which was “escalating and even getting out of control”. Officially neutral, China calls for respecting the sovereignty of states, including Ukraine, while urging the international community to heed Moscow’s security concerns.
But Western pressure is growing on Beijing, which has never publicly supported or criticized the Russian offensive, while repeatedly expressing its support for Moscow in the face of Western sanctions. In recent days, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed concern that China is considering supplying weapons to Russia – allegations strongly denied by Beijing.
Consult our file: War in Ukraine