Group of "Friends for Peace" on the Ukraine Crisis Calls for De-escalation and Peaceful Solution

Group of "Friends for Peace" on the Ukraine Crisis

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning commented on the recent meeting of the Group of "Friends for Peace" on the Ukraine Crisis. The participants called for de-escalation, emphasizing the importance of avoiding battlefield expansion and intensified fighting. They also expressed support for a comprehensive and lasting settlement through inclusive diplomacy and political means based on the UN Charter and international law.

The meeting, held on December 18th at the level of Permanent Representatives to the UN, was the first gathering of the group following their Ministerial Meeting in New York on September 27th, 2024. A press release issued after the meeting positively evaluated the ministerial meeting and the joint communique released, highlighting that it was the first time Global South countries voiced their concerns about the Ukraine crisis.

The participants reviewed the current situation of the conflict in Ukraine and the potential risks of its recent escalation. They expressed concerns at the ongoing hostilities and recalled the need to observe principles for de-escalation. They reaffirmed key principles outlined in the joint communique, including respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, respecting the legitimate concerns of states, recognizing the need to uphold the principles of peace, security and prosperity, and the importance of peaceful solutions for all international conflicts.

The participants called for efforts to de-escalate the situation, emphasizing the importance of non-expansion of the battlefield and non-intensification of fighting. They expressed support for achieving a comprehensive and lasting political peaceful solution that can bring this conflict to an end through diplomatic means based on the UN Charter and international law. They also encouraged countries from the Global South to play a constructive role in this process.

China stands ready to work with other members of the group to make positive efforts for an early realization of peace, Mao said.