China to continue conducting rights-protection, law enforcement operations in waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef: spokesman

China will continue to conduct rights-protection and law-enforcement operations in the waters adjacent to the Ren'ai Reef in the South China Sea, said Senior Colonel Chen Xi, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, on Friday.

Chen made the statement at a press conference in Beijing in response to reports that the Philippines and Australia held their Defense Ministers' Meeting and issued a joint statement to express "serious concern" over recent actions taken by the China Coast Guard at the Ren'ai Reef. In the statement, they also urged all parties to operate "professionally and safely".

"We firmly oppose the unfounded accusations and smears made by the Philippines and Australia against China. Regarding the Philippine side's deliberate provocations and attacks on Chinese personnel at the Ren'ai Reef, the China Coast Guard has issued a statement and released evidence. The Chinese side took necessary countermeasures, which were professional, restrained and beyond reproach," Chen said.

"It must be emphasized that Ren'ai Reef is part of China's Nansha Islands and an inherent part of the territory of China. Whatever the Philippine side says or does cannot change this fact. What the Philippine side should do is to remove the illegally grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) as soon as possible. The Chinese side will continue to conduct rights-protection and law enforcement activities to thwart any violations or provocations and safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the relevant countries to stop peddling false narratives, provoking confrontation and undermining regional peace and stability," he said.

China to continue conducting rights-protection, law enforcement operations in waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef: spokesman

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States has suggested that Ukraine could be offered membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in exchange for withdrawing from the Donbas, according to media reports.

"The Americans raised the question: 'If Ukraine joins NATO, would it withdraw from the Donbas?' This was the first time such a question had been raised," Zelensky told reporters in remarks released by his office on Saturday.

Zelensky has reaffirmed that Ukraine will not retreat or give up its territory. He said Ukraine was discussing a comprehensive security package with its partners that could be offered during peace negotiations.

The package includes specific security guarantees from NATO and the European Union, a strong army with a sufficient number of personnel and weapons, financial support for a specified period and a recovery plan backed by funding from clearly defined sources, Zelensky added.

Trilateral talks involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine just ended on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, with no agreement announced on a ceasefire, territorial disputes or long-term security guarantees.

On Thursday, U.S. envoy Jared Kushner said in a social media post that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to expand the next round to include European partners. He said this would allow discussions on broader post-war European security arrangements alongside territorial issues.

Zelensky says U.S. proposes Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership