China outlines position on Ukraine war, cites NATO's post-Cold War expansion in US talks

To discuss worsening situation in Ukraine, on Saturday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dialled US State Secretary Antony Blinken where he warned against furr escalation and advised to sort situation with negotiations as Blinken stated that US needs more countries to penalise Russia for its military offensive in Ukraine. As per reports of RT News, talk took place during Blinken's tour to Eastern Europe, which was intended to show US's solidarity with its NATO and EU allies. Biden administration has slammed Moscow with a slew of ecomic sanctions.

China has remained quiet and pushed on Russia and Ukraine to settle crisis on ir own through negotiations since beginning of war and  Chinese side's position has t changed. Wang stated that China supports all efforts that contribute to de-escalation and political settlement. He furr said that US, NATO, EU, and Russia must hold equal conversations, particularly with regards to NATO's post-Cold War expansion. Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that China opposes any acts that do t promote a diplomatic settlement but instead add gasoline to fire and worsen situation, according to RT News.

world is watching to see which nations stand up: Blinken

US State Department suggests that Blinken told Wang that world is watching to see which nations stand up for basic principles of freedom, self-determination, and sovereignty and that world is acting in unison to repudiate and respond to Russian aggression, ensuring that Moscow pays a high price.

In meanwhile, US legislators have recently urged NATO to impose a -fly zone over Ukraine, which would see NATO shoot down Russian jets operating in area, which Moscow would regard as a war crime. Ukrainian government has also asked for a -fly zone on numerous occasions. Military intervention in Ukraine has been expressly ruled out by both US President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Russia proclaimed a ceasefire in Mariupol and Volvakha yesterday

Russia proclaimed a ceasefire in Mariupol and Volvakha yesterday just before Blinken and Wang's talk to allow people to flee cities. ceasefire was n breached by both Ukraine and Russia, and hostilities resumed. On Thursday, ar round of peace talks in Belarus came to a close without any breakthroughs.

Im: AP