China calling for peace talks.
The sovereignty of all countries is respected
• Abandoning the Cold War mentality
• Ceasing hostilities
• Resuming peace talks
• Resolving the humanitarian crisis
• Protecting civilians and prisoners of war (PoWs)
• Keeping nuclear power plants safe
• Reducing strategic risks
• Facilitating grain exports
• Stopping unilateral sanctions
• Keeping industrial and supply chains stable
• Promoting post-conflict reconstruction
The plan unveiled by Beijing on the first anniversary of the war has urged all parties to avoid "fanning the flames and aggravating tensions" in the hope of preventing the crisis from "deteriorating further or spiralling out of control".
By Siba Jackson, news reporter
Friday 24 February 2023 13:16, UK
Chinese arms could fuel the war?
China has called for a ceasefire and peace talks in Ukraine on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
Beijing's foreign ministry urged all parties to "avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions" in the hope of preventing the crisis from "deteriorating further or spiralling out of control".
Ukraine war live updates
A paper published by the ministry on Friday warned "conflict and war benefit no one" and said everyone involved must "stay rational and exercise restraint".
But the proposal has been branded an "attempt at public relations" by
China, which one year ago said it has a "no limits friendship" with
Russia.
It has yet to condemn its ally or describe the war as an "invasion" - and has also criticised Western sanctions imposed on Moscow.
President Xi Jinping is expected to deliver a "peace speech" on Friday to mark the anniversary, when he is likely to call for peace while avoiding direct criticism of Vladimir Putin's regime.