Group of Friends for Peace: Ukraine crisis approaching turning point

Members of the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis have stressed that the conflict might be approaching a turning point and welcomed recent developments toward peace talks, according to a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.

Guo Jiakun said the Group recently met in New York and discussed the latest developments of the Ukraine crisis and the prospects for achieving lasting peace.

Guo said that the meeting was successful and reaffirmed that the resolution of the conflict must take place through a negotiated political solution and diplomatic means.

The members of the Group urged all stakeholders to play a constructive role and find a just and lasting solution—one that addresses the concerns of the parties to the conflict and leads to a peace agreement acceptable to them, he said at a regular press briefing.

The Group will stay committed to maintaining close communication with all relevant parties, making the voices of the Global South heeded by more, and contributing to a peaceful resolution to the conflict and a better future for all, he added.

China, Brazil and other Global South nations formed the Group of Friends for Peace last year to uphold the United Nations Charter, foster consensus for a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis and advance the prospects of peace.

Since its founding last September, under the guidance of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the Group has consistently advocated for an early peaceful resolution and rallied positive forces for a political settlement of the crisis, said Guo.

China will continue to work with the international community to make more rational voices for peace talks heard, create conditions for ending the conflict and promoting peace talks, build momentum and play an active and constructive role for the political settlement of the crisis, he said.