China on Friday called for a cease-fire in Ukraine and an end to unilateral sanctions and other economic “weapons” targeting Russia, as part of a new diplomatic push to defend Beijing’s position on the war.
The document reflected China’s belief that the United States and European allies need to ease pressure on Russia to “prevent the crisis from deteriorating further” and create conditions for negotiations to resume.
“All parties should support Russia and Ukraine in working in the same direction and resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible, so as to gradually de-escalate the situation and ultimately reach a comprehensive cease-fire,” the proposal said.
“Relevant countries should stop abusing unilateral sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ against other countries,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding that all parties should “oppose using the world economy as a tool or weapon for political purposes.”
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukraine’s presidency, dismissed the proposal and tweeted that “any ‘peace plan’ with cease-fire only … and continued occupation of territory isn’t about peace, but about freezing the war, defeat, next stages of genocide.” He reiterated the Ukrainian position that Russian forces should withdraw to the 1991 borders.
The Chinese proposal also warned against attacks on nuclear power plants and civilians, as well as repeating its opposition to the threat or use of nuclear weapons.
China was among the 32 countries that abstained from a U.N. vote Thursday that called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and an end to the conflict.