China says it respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and Russia’s safety considerations

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi instructed senior European officers on Friday that China respects international locations’ sovereignty, together with Ukraine’s, however that Russia’s considerations about NATO’s eastward enlargement ought to be correctly addressed.

After weeks of warnings from Western leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin unleashed an invasion of Ukraine from the north, east and south on Thursday that was the largest assault on a European state since World War Two.

Weeks earlier than the invasion, China and Russia introduced a strategic partnership, and to date Beijing has stayed away from condemning Moscow’s actions.

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Wang mentioned the present state of affairs in Ukraine was not one thing Beijing wished to see and that it will welcome direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine as quickly as attainable.

“China firmly advocates respecting and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries,” Wang mentioned, in line with an announcement from China’s Foreign Ministry. “This equally applies to the Ukraine issue.”

Wang held separate calls with British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, European Union international affairs chief Josep Borrell and a French presidential adviser.

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“Given five consecutive rounds of NATO’s eastward expansion, Russia’s legitimate security demands should be taken seriously and properly addressed,” Wang mentioned, in line with the assertion.

The U.N. Security Council was anticipated to vote on Friday on a decision condemning Moscow’s invasion.

Russia is predicted to veto the measure, and Wang mentioned China traditionally had opposed Council resolutions that utilized sanctions or using power. He mentioned the Council ought to search to ease tensions, “not fuel them.”

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday mentioned any nation that backed Russia’s onslaught in Ukraine can be “stained by association,” and Washington has mentioned Chinese companies will face penalties in the event that they search to assist Moscow evade export controls imposed by Western international locations.

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