China stressed that an early ceasefire and political settlement represent the only viable path forward at a UN Security Council meeting on the Ukraine crisis on Monday.
Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said that since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, China has consistently adhered to promoting peace through dialog and pushing for a political solution.
China believes that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to peacefully resolving the crisis should be supported, said the Chinese envoy.
Addressing the latest developments, the Chinese representative stressed equal participation, accommodating the legitimate concerns of all parties and ensuring common security. He said China will continue to contribute its efforts toward a political settlement of the crisis.
"The Ukraine crisis is essentially an overall eruption of the problems built up in the contradictions in Europe's security, and the result of long-term accumulation and constant deterioration of security deficits and trust deficits," Sun said at the meeting.
"There are no winners in conflict and war. Military means cannot bring lasting peace. An early ceasefire to seek a political solution is the only viable way," he said.
China urges political settlement at Security Council meeting on Ukraine
