China urges peaceful resolution as Ukraine crisis marks 1,000 days

A Chinese envoy reiterated a call for resolving the Ukraine crisis through dialogue and negotiation and urged the international community to support these efforts and create favorable conditions for peace talks. 

The envoy made the calling during a UN Security Council high-level meeting on Monday to mark the 1,000th day since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the meeting. She highlighted the severe toll of the conflict, including significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction, saying protecting civilians must remain a priority for all parties, regardless of their political positions. DiCarlo described the systemic destruction of Ukraine's infrastructure, the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the exacerbation of global food security challenges due to tensions in the Black Sea region. 

She also warned of the high risk of a nuclear incident caused by military activities near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, cautioning against the potentially catastrophic consequences. DiCarlo called for an immediate end to hostilities, reaffirming the UN's readiness to support a durable and comprehensive peace process.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN stated that the ongoing ground battles have intensified the humanitarian crisis and exacerbated spillover effects worldwide. However, he noted the growing global demand for peace. Geng urged the conflicting parties to initiate peace talks at the earliest opportunity and called on the international community to provide support and foster conditions conducive to reconciliation and dialogue.

Geng reaffirmed China's consistent and clear stance on the Ukraine issue, stating that China has always advocated for peace and dialogue. Since the conflict began, China has emphasized the importance of respecting all nations' sovereignty and territorial integrity, adhering to the principles of the UN Charter, addressing legitimate security concerns and supporting efforts that contribute to a peaceful resolution. He noted that China has maintained communication with both Russia and Ukraine, actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy and consistently promoted dialogue to achieve a political solution.

Responding to accusations made by the U.S. representative during the meeting, Geng dismissed the claims as baseless. He pointed to the U.S.'s significant role in the crisis, adding that achieving a ceasefire and political resolution largely depends on the U.S.'s actions and attitude. Geng expressed hope that the U.S. would act responsibly and in a manner that withstands historical scrutiny.