China demands Russia respect Ukraine’s sovereignty – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

China points out that dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way out of the conflict in Ukraine. They warn that the conflict could get out of control, according to Reuters.

The Chinese leadership is calling for a complete ceasefire on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Conflict and war benefit no one. The declaration states that all parties must act rationally, step back and prevent the crisis from spiraling out of control.

China also insists that nuclear weapons should not be used. They also warn that biological and chemical weapons “must not be developed under any circumstances.”

It also calls on China to halt sanctions not approved by the UN Security Council. This means, in this case, the cessation of all Western sanctions against Russia, since Russia has veto power in the Security Council.

Ukraine: a good sign

Ukraine calls China’s resignation a “good sign”.

Ukraine’s charge d’affaires to China, Zhanna Leschinska, said, according to Reuters, that her country expects China to play a more active role in supporting Ukraine.

– We hope that they will encourage Russia to stop the fighting and withdraw its forces as it hopes.

The EU envoy in Beijing asks China to defend the UN Charter

– Jorge Toledo, the European Union’s ambassador to China, said China should fulfill its responsibilities and defend the UN Charter, according to Reuters.

Toledo said this in Beijing on Friday morning as part of a speech to dozens of diplomats at a ceremony marking one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine today.

141 countries voted in favor of the resolution

When UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the crisis meeting of the UN General Assembly on Thursday, he condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine on February 24 last year.

– Guterres said that the invasion violates our common conscience.

He called the anniversary of the invasion “a bad milestone for the Ukrainian people and the international community”.

In a vote in the General Assembly, 141 countries voted in favor of a resolution calling on Russia to cease hostilities and withdraw all its forces from Ukraine.

Only seven countries voted against it. 32 countries voted blank.

The decision is not binding, but the votes show how much support Ukraine has in the world one year after the invasion.