Concerns in China and Russia grow over NATO involvement in Ukraine

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Russian and Chinese officials have expressed worries regarding growing NATO involvement in the Ukrainian crisis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui held a meeting in Moscow where they discussed the Ukrainian conflict.

"The mutual commitment to the provisions of the UN Charter, the norms of international law, and the principle of the indivisibility of security were emphasized. Concern was expressed about the dangerous consequences of the growing involvement of NATO countries in the Ukrainian conflict, their actions to militarize Ukraine by pumping it with modern weapons and training the soldiers of the Ukrainian armed forces," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.

The two countries were critical of Western states and international organizations who have not taken any action against Ukraine's violation of international humanitarian law which could be identified in its treatment of prisoners of war. 

The Chinese official also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who reaffirmed his country's commitment to a peaceful solution to the situation in Ukraine.

The Chinese diplomat had just recently concluded a tour across several countries in Europe with the purpose of promoting China's peace plan for Ukraine. 

Previously, the official reportedly embarked on a visit to six capitals, including Kiev, Warsaw, Berlin, Paris, and Brussels, and just recently held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Friday. 

Throughout his tour, Li Hui called on his European counterparts to make sound decisions, away from US pressures, and pursue an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine that would recognize Russian sovereignty over the former Ukrainian territories, the report notes. 

According to sources familiar with the matter, ruling out Beijing's efforts in mediating the conflict is still too early. They further alleged that China may be incapable of mediating a truce considering its close relations with Moscow, the report adds.

One of the sources interviewed by WSJ reportedly told Liu that freezing the conflict is "not in the interest of the international community" unless Russia withdraws its troops. 

They added that "it’s impossible to split Europe from America" and that Europe would not cease to provide assistance for Kiev.

In February, China released a 12-point document entitled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," which underscores respect for the sovereignty of all countries, the cessation of hostilities, and the resumption of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that some of the provisions of the plan could be a basis for a peace settlement "if the West and Kiev are ready for it."