A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on all parties to the Ukraine crisis to remain committed to dialogue and negotiations, creating conditions necessary for a political solution to the crisis which has dragged on for four years.
Speaking at the UN Security Council's briefing under the formal agenda item "Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine", Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, pointed out that as the fighting continues, civilian casualties are mounting and the spillover effects of the crisis are expanding.
China calls on the relevant parties to remain calm and restrained, make every effort to de-escalate the situation, and preserve prospects for peace.
The Chinese envoy emphasized that dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way to resolve the Ukraine crisis, and China welcomes the recent contacts and exchanges among major stakeholders.
"The negotiating table offers a starting point for peace. Although significant differences remain, the relevant parties can find solutions and move toward peace through sustained dialogue," Fu said.
He then once again reiterated China's consistent stance on the Ukraine crisis, noting that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all nations ought to be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful resolution to the crisis should be supported.
China has always been committed to promoting peace and dialogue and stands ready to work with the rest of the international community to continue playing a constructive role in seeking a political solution to the crisis, Fu said.
China calls for political settlement of Ukraine crisis
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday formally tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, giving the former military chief a chance to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Netanyahu's right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority in October's election.
Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party, received recommendations from 67 lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament, compared with 46 for Netanyahu.
At the ceremony, Herzog called for unity and a "stable government that can last."
Eisenkot warned that Israel was facing a "critical moment," saying the objectives of its multi-front conflicts "remained unfulfilled," its international relations were in a "devastating crisis," and its democracy was facing one of its gravest challenges.
"If we continue on the current path, we risk reaching a point of no return," he said, calling for new leadership "that people can look in the eye and trust."
He said he was convinced it was possible to form a new government with a substantial majority in the Knesset, and that he was open to Netanyahu's Likud party and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party joining a government under his leadership.
He said they were invited to "support the government under my leadership and the principles I've outlined."
"I intend to be the prime minister of all citizens of Israel, those who voted for me and those who haven't," Eisenkot said.
Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister until a new government is sworn in.
Eisenkot's four-party alliance holds only 48 seats and would need support from Arab lawmakers or other parties to form a government.
Netanyahu on Saturday called for a national unity government, while Eisenkot's party said Likud could join a government led by Eisenkot if it abandoned its far-right allies.
Under Israeli law, if Eisenkot fails to form a government within the allotted time, Herzog may assign the task to another candidate, or at least 61 members of the 120-seat Knesset can ask the president to entrust the mandate to a candidate of their choice. If these efforts also fail, the Knesset will be dissolved and new elections will be held.
Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot officially receives mandate to form gov't
Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot officially receives mandate to form gov't
