The phone call made between Foreign Ministers of both countries was the first high-level contact between Ukraine and China
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba that China was “highly concerned” about civilian casualties in war-torn Ukraine. That China expresses deep concern
This phone call was the first high-level contact between the nations ever since Russia invaded Ukraine. Until now, China had neither called the Russian attack an invasion nor condemned Russia’s actions.
This phone call thus marks the most strong reaction from Beijing on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Both China and India had abstained from UN Security Council resolutions against Russia. However, both countries have recently started responding to escalating violence and casualties.
China and India have also expressed deep concern for the safety of their nationals stranded in Ukraine and the failure of diplomatic relations.
Pressure on China to act
China has been facing mounting pressure from the West since it is a permanent member of the UNSC.
Due to Beijing’s close relationship with Russia, China is being interpreted on the global diplomatic ground as enabling Vladimir Putin’s military actions.
Ukraine initiated the phone call between Mr. Wang and Mr. Kuleba. President Xi Jinping has not spoken to Ukrainian President Zelensky yet.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated, “Wang YI said the situation in Ukraine had changed rapidly and dramatically. China is deeply grieved to see the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and highly concerned about the damage done to civilians.”
The Foreign Ministry continued, “Wang Yi stressed that China has always believed that one country’s security should not threaten the same of other countries and that regional security cannot be achieved by expanding military blocs.
The Foreign Ministry further informed that Wang Yi said that China always advocates respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
” Further Wang Yi is quoted as suggesting that on the current crisis, China calls on Ukraine and Russia to find a solution through negotiations and that China “supports all constructive international efforts that are conducive to a political statement.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that Beijing is particularly concerned for the safety of Chinese citizens and that Wang Yi has called on Ukraine to assume international responsibilities due to the country.
Mr. Wang Yi is quoted as saying, “The Chinese government attached great importance to the safety of Chinese citizens in Ukraine and is concerned about their safety all the time.”
He has also thanked Ukraine for facilitating the evacuation process. He expressed his gratitude to people from all walks of life in Ukraine who lend a helping hand to Chinese nationals in times of crisis.
China appreciates Ukraine’s arrangements for evacuation
Wang Yi further said that China “appreciates Ukraine’s arrangement of special trains for the evacuation of foreign nationals, which is in line with the spirit of international humanitarianism.”
He added that he hopes that Ukraine will take all necessary measures for the protection and safety of Chinese citizens stuck in Ukraine and will continue to guarantee their evacuation from the war-hit country.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman announced that Wang Yi said that “the Cold war mentality should be discarded completely.
The legitimate security concerns of all countries should be respected. Given NATO’s five consecutive rounds of eastward expansion, Russia’s legitimate security concerns ought to be taken seriously and properly addressed.”
China has reported that nearly 1000 Chinese nationals in Ukraine have been safely evacuated from the country and have reached Moldova, Slovakia, Romania and Poland.
Wang Yi’s counterpart Kuleba has responded that Ukraine believes it is an essential duty to ensure the safety of foreign nationals and that the government is trying its utmost to assist in the smooth evacuation of Chinese citizens.
Kuleba further said that Ukraine would continue to facilitate evacuation efforts responsibly.
China is a close ally of Russia. By expressing its concern for rising civilian casualties in Ukraine, it is walking a fine line that could take a risky toll on its diplomatic relations with Russia.
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Edited by: Kiran Maharana
Published by: Vishakha Verma
