I wish to thank USG De Carlo for her briefing.

China has noted the report on the altercation between Russian and Ukrainian naval ships in the waters near the Kerch Strait. We are concerned with the tensions arising thereof. China hopes and calls on the relevant parties to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions, and properly resolve the relevant issues through dialogue and consultations.

China has all along maintained objectivity and impartiality on the Ukrainian crisis. China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries including Ukraine and opposes any external forces interfering in Ukraine's internal affairs. We are always of the view that military solution will get nowhere. Dialogue and negotiation is the only way to resolve the crisis. The international community must stay the course of diplomatic efforts to push for a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. The discussion of the Security Council should be conducive to genuine ease of tensions in the affected areas of Ukraine to play a constructive role in facilitating a political solution.

China believes that all the relevant parties should earnestly implement the New Minsk Agreement and remain committed to political settlement to seek a comprehensive solution to the Ukrainian issue through dialogue and consultation, so that Ukraine will achieve peace, stability and development whereby all ethnic communities can live in peace and Ukraine live in harmony with all the countries in the region. China will continue to play a positive role in promoting a political settlement of the crisis.