President, 

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Acting Assistant Secretary-General Indrika Ratwatte for the briefings. 

As the Ukraine crisis continues to drag on, the conflict keeps intensifying on an escalatory spiral. The numbers from the battlefield are changing every day, with new strikes, new casualties, and new destruction of infrastructure occurring all the time. However, one truth remains unchanged: military means cannot bring about peace, and  allowing the conflict to continue will only take a greater toll.

Meanwhile, diplomatic negotiations have recently stalled. We noted the statements made by the leaders of the two parties regarding the resumption of talks and their divergent positions thereon. It speaks to the complexity of the underlying problems of the crisis, the difficulty of reaching a peace agreement, the vital and challenging path still ahead to a political settlement, and the need for unremitting efforts by all sides. In light of the current situation, let me make the following four points. 

First, we hope that the parties concerned will put the people first and keep exercising the utmost restraint to refrain from any action that may aggravate tensions and escalate conflicts and to prevent the situation from getting out of control. 

Second, we hope that all relevant sides will keep demonstrating patience, good faith, and flexibility, resume peace talks as soon as possible, and address the legitimate security concerns of one another, with a view to reaching a comprehensive, lasting, and binding peace agreement. 

Third, we hope that countries in the region and the international community at large will amplify the voice of reason calling for the cessation of hostilities and talks for peace, and engage in greater diplomatic efforts to build trust and mediate a settlement, instead of fanning the flames or adding fuel to the fire. 

Fourth, we hope that all relevant sides will, in full compliance with the principles of the UN Charter, commit to resolving the root causes of the crisis, in order to shape a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture for the region. 

President, 

China's position on the Ukraine issue has all along been objective and impartial. Guided by the four shoulds put forward by President Xi Jinping, we have been actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy to work for peace and to facilitate talks. We will continue our efforts, along with the international community, to contribute positively to the political settlement of the crisis. 

I thank you, President.