Encouraging de-escalation, China called on all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict as Ukrainian forces made significant progress into Russia’s Kursk border region, a key ally to Beijing.
Kyiv executed a surprise operation, deploying a large number of troops, seizing the initiative from the slow Russian advancements in the region, according to a Ukrainian security official cited by AFP.
The assault seemed to take Moscow by surprise as the Russian army acknowledged Ukraine’s infiltration into its territory, reaching as far as 30 kilometers (20 miles) in some areas.
In response to the offensive, China urged all parties to abide by the “three principles for de-escalating the situation.”
These principles include “no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no provocation by any party,” as stated by a foreign ministry spokesperson.
China intends to continue engaging with the international community and advocating for a political resolution to the crisis, emphasizing its position as a neutral party in the conflict.
Unlike the United States and other Western nations, China asserts that it does not provide lethal aid to either side, although it maintains strong political and economic ties with Russia.
While positioning itself as a neutral entity, NATO has criticized China for its perceived support to Russia in the conflict, despite Beijing’s lack of condemnation.
Last year, China published a document advocating for a political settlement, drawing backlash from Western nations for potentially enabling Russia to maintain control over seized Ukrainian territories.
AFP.