President,

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Director Ramesh Rajasingham for their briefings. 

The Ukraine crisis has dragged on for almost four years. The situation has now entered a critical stage of negotiated settlement. The key stakeholders have proposed various peace initiatives and plans, the window for negotiations has opened, and the door for peace is within sight. Regrettably, fighting continues on the ground, and repeated flare-ups have cast a shadow over the prospect of peace. The path forward remains arduous. The more complex and grim the situation, the more we must not give up hope, and the more we must redouble our efforts. 

First, peace must prevail over war. Russia and Ukraine are inseparable neighbors. Achieving harmonious coexistence between the two countries is the common aspiration of all parties, and the only correct choice. A continued war will only lead to the loss of more innocent lives and heightened tensions at the regional and international levels. We call on all relevant parties to abide by the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of the fighting, and no provocation by any party, in order to deescalate the situation, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, create conditions for political settlement, and strive for the early realization of peace. 

Second, dialogue must prevail over confrontation. Conflicts and tensions, regardless of their scale and intensity, will ultimately need to be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. The hard-won momentum of the latest round of peace talks should be cherished by all sides. We call on the parties to the conflict to work toward the same goal, continuously build consensus, and take seriously and appropriately address each other's security concerns, in order to reach a comprehensive, lasting, and binding peace agreement as soon as possible. The potential peace deal should eliminate the root causes of conflict, build a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture, and contribute to the lasting peace and stability on the continent. 

Third, unity must prevail over division. Garnering more voices and making stronger appeals are essential for promoting a ceasefire and giving lasting peace a better chance. The international community should send a more objective, balanced, and rational voice to help realize the vision of peace as soon as possible. The continued spillover of the crisis has severely impinged on the global economy. China opposes the use of the crisis by any party as a pretext to impose illegal unilateral sanctions and disrupt normal trade and economic relations. China also opposes any opportunist attempts to divide the world and create exclusive blocs. 

President, 

China’s position on the Ukraine issue has been crystal clear and consistent. Guided by President Xi Jinping’s four shoulds, China has made relentless efforts in promoting peace talks, facilitating a political settlement, and creating conditions and building consensus for peace. We have maintained close communication with Russia, Ukraine, and other relevant parties, actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy, and set up a Group of Friends for Peace. We have been continuously making calls for peace, garnering consensus, and promoting peace efforts. China sincerely welcomes all efforts that contribute to the peaceful settlement of the crisis, and will continue to work with others to play a constructive role in promoting a political solution of the crisis. 

Thank you, President.