BEIJING (AP) — China has called for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and the opening of peace talks as part of a 12-point proposal to end the conflict.
The plan released Friday morning by the State Department also calls for the end of Western sanctions against Russia, measures to secure nuclear facilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians and steps to limit grain exports. after disruptions worldwide caused food prices to spike.
China has claimed to be neutral in the conflict, but it has a “no borders” relationship with Russia and has refused to criticize or even refer to its invasion of Ukraine, while accusing the West of provoking the conflict and “the flames” by supplying Ukraine with defense weapons.
The peace proposal mainly built on long-held Chinese positions, including a reference to the need for the “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries to be effectively guaranteed”.
It also called for an end to the “Cold War mentality” – it’s the standard term for what it views as US hegemony and meddling in other countries.
China abstained from voting on Thursday as the UN General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution calling on Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its troops.
