President,

First of all, I would like to congratulate Pakistan on its successfully completion of its presidency of the Security Council this month. I commend you and your colleagues for your efforts. I also wish Panama every success in its presidency next month.

Recently, Russia and Ukraine held several rounds of direct negotiations, reaching some consensus and making positive progress on humanitarian issues, including prisoners exchanges. At the same time, the crisis persists, and the end of the war remains elusive. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition continue to flow into the battlefield, causing new casualties and infrastructure damage. It worried us to see the expanding variety and range of weapons flowing into the battlefield, along with their increasing lethality and destructive power. It was reported lately that both sides have deployed combat robots on the battlefield, further suggesting that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is increasingly becoming a testing ground for new weaponry, with the potential for dangerous shifts in the nature of warfare.

I wish to reiterate that while weapons may win wars, they cannot bring lasting peace. Reckless arms supply to the battlefield will only intensify confrontation, prolong hostilities, create proliferation risks, and inflict more casualties and greater suffering on people of both parties and across the wider region. The urgent priority is for both parties to the conflict to work together to de-escalate the tensions as soon as possible. They should maintain the momentum of peace talks, continue to build consensus, and ultimately reach a comprehensive, lasting, and binding peace agreement.

President,

Since the first day of this conflict, China has actively advocated for peaceful settlement of disputes, and called on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities, engage in negotiations and restore peace. Over the past three years, guided by the Four Shoulds proposed by President Xi Jinping, we have consistently worked to promote peace and talks. China will continue to collaborate with the international community to play a constructive role in achieving an early political settlement of the crisis.

President,

The U.S. representative has once again spread false and slanderous narratives against China, which is completely unacceptable. At previous meetings, I have repeatedly refuted such accusations. Since the U.S. insists on repeating the same old tune, I am compelled to respond again to set the record straight.

First, China did not start the crisis, nor is China a party to it. China has never provided lethal weapons to either party to the conflict. We have strictly controlled dual-use items, including drones exportation.

Second, the Security Council has not imposed sanctions on the parties to the conflict. China maintains normal trade relations with both Russia and Ukraine, which neither violates international law nor breaches its international obligations. China’s legitimate rights and interests must not be infringed. In fact, the U.S. itself has continued trading with Russia. If the U.S. does so, why does it deny the same right of other countries? You allow yourself to set fire but others can’t even light lamps. Is this logical?

Third, the Ukraine crisis is at a critical juncture, with prospects and hope for a political solution. It is unreasonable for the U.S. to expect China to play a role in ending of the conflict early while simultaneously smearing and pressuring us. We once again urge the U.S. to abandon its pointless blame game, stop shifting responsibilities, and instead, play a constructive role in promoting ceasefire and peace talks.

Thank you, President.

Second Round of Remarks on Arms Supply to Ukraine

 by Ambassador Geng Shuang at the UN Security Council Briefing

President,

As I clearly stated in my statement, the Security Council has not imposed sanctions on the parties to the conflict. China maintains normal economic and trade relations with both Russia and Ukraine. This does not violate international law, nor does it breach any international obligation. Meanwhile, the U.S. itself continues to trade with Russia. Why can't China do that? Actually, it is not China who should feel uncomfortable, but rather the U.S.. In this very Security Council Chamber, the U.S. keeps on slandering, smearing, and accusing other countries. Does it feel out of tune with the rest of the members here? To resolve the Ukraine crisis, what we need is unity and cooperation rather than division or confrontation. We once again urge the U.S. to cease its attacks and accusations, stop shifting blame, and instead, focus on genuine diplomatic efforts and do more for a ceasefire and peace talks.

Thank you.