China calls for ceasefire, negotiations over Ukraine
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. "Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis. All efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be encouraged and supported," says a position paper released by the Foreign Ministry on Friday on the one-year anniversary of the Russian military campaign in Ukraine. "Conflict and war benefit no one. All parties must stay rational and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions, and prevent the crisis from deteriorating further or even spiraling out of control. "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 ceasefire." The plan also urges the end of unilateral sanctions imposed on Moscow, measures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, and steps to ensure the export of grain after disruptions caused global food prices to spike. China made clear its opposition to not only the use of nuclear weapons, but the threat of deploying them. "Nuclear weapons must not be used and nuclear wars must not be fought. The threat or use of nuclear weapons should be opposed," the statement says. Speaking before the proposal's release, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it an important first step. “I think that, in general, the fact that China started talking about peace in Ukraine, I think that it is not bad. It is important for us that all states are on our side, on the side of justice,” he said. US State Department spokesman Ned Price said earlier on Thursday that Washington would reserve judgement, but that China’s allegiance with Russia meant it was not a neutral mediator. China's statement also calls on countries to abandon the Cold War mentality. "The security of a country should not be pursued at the expense of others. The security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs." (Agencies)