President,

I thank acting Under-Secretary-General Joyce Msuya for her briefing, and I listened carefully to the statement of Mr. Volodymyr Zhovnir.

Since the full escalation of the crisis in Ukraine in February 2022, the ongoing conflict has led to a large number of casualties among innocent civilians and the damage and destruction of infrastructure, triggering a dire humanitarian crisis with huge spillover effects, which is a source of deep concern for China. Recently, instead of stopping, the fighting has intensified and vicious attacks occurred from time to time, which resulted in serious casualties. China is deeply concerned about it. We reiterate our call on the parties to the conflict to exercise rationality and restraint, effectively comply with international humanitarian law, and avoid attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

There are no winners in conflict and confrontation, and military means will not bring lasting peace. President Xi Jinping, during his recent meeting with a foreign leader visiting China, stressed that an early ceasefire and a political settlement are in the interests of all parties, adding that the priority is to cool down the situation by observing the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no fanning by any party over the flames. He called on the international community to create conditions and provide support for the resumption of direct dialogue and negotiations between the two parties, stating that only if all major countries inject positive rather than negative energy, can a ceasefire in this conflict emerge as soon as possible.

On the Ukraine issue, China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be adhered to, the legitimate security concerns of all states should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported. We call on the parties to the conflict to show political will, meet each other halfway, and start peace talks at an early date. We call on the international community, based on an objective and impartial position, to create conditions conducive to putting an early end to the fighting and play an active role in this regard. We call upon all parties concerned to work together, uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, and promote the establishment of a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture. China will continue to actively promote peace talks in its own way and make unremitting efforts and play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the Ukraine issue.

I thank you, President.