China blames US for catalysing conflict in Ukraine: 'Stop playing world police'

China on Tuesday accused US of fuelling brutal Russia-Ukraine conflict that devasted Eastern Europe in less than five months. Speaking at a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian claimed that Washington created conditions for brutal war and it must stop playing "world police" and inste, pave way for a peaceful resolution. In response to US State Department spokesperson Ned Price's warnings of "paying steep cost" if Beijing helped Russia eve West-imposed sanctions, Lijian retorted: "He sounded as if US were World Police."

"One who started Ukraine crisis and biggest factor fueling it, US needs to deeply reflect on erroneous actions of exerting extreme pressure and fanning flame on Ukraine issue," Lijian said, according to a statement by Chinese MFA.

Chinese MFA spokesperson also rebuked US for "unwarranted suspicion threat, and pressure" targetting Beijing. Lijian furr stated that China also "firmly opposed" unilateral illegal sanctions and "long-arm jurisdiction with no bases in international law." Notably, this is first time China has publicly deplored Washington and blamed it for ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In many previous instances, Lijian's colleague Wang Wenbin chided US only stopping short of directly alleging that Washington ignited war.

US creating Cold War, taking vantage of Ukraine war: Lijian

Offended at Price's warnings, despite repeatedly denying claims of not helping Russia, Lijian on Tuesday asserted that " US is master of playing a bloc confrontation and creating a new cold war by taking vantage of situation." He ded that Washington inste must create an environment for "proper settlement" of differences in a responsible way.  Chinese MFA spokesperson furr rebuffed US accusations over contribution to global food crisis by supporting Russia, calling it Washington's "smearing campaign."

China 'not a party to Ukraine crisis': Yi

Ever since beginning of war on February 24, China has maintained a neutral stance on issue, only countering US' accusations. Speaking to Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjrto on Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated reiterated that "Beijing is not a party to Ukraine crisis...and has not stood by, nor fuelled fire. Inste, always unswervingly and perseveringly promoted peace talks." Throwing direct jibe at US, he ded, "all parties must seriously learn from hard lessons of crisis." Yi stressed "negative spillover effect" emerging from conflict that spre worldwide, especially affecting vulnerable African nations.

According to expert reports, China has been extremely cautious in openly supporting Russia in Ukraine war. While its public pronouncements have remained peace-centric, reports statistical reports last month pointed out that Beijing increased its imports from Russia in months of war, most likely to help Moscow eve financial crunch from Western sanctions. In dition, Chinese officials have often touted a "rock solid" partnership with Kremlin. Although talking about if China's imports are contributing to backfilling Western penalties, answer, as explained by RussiaMatters.org is "no", since Beijing has not supplied military equipment or large-scale supplies to reverse effect of sanctions.

(Image: AP)