Main cause in Ukraine crisis is imbalance in Europe's security: Wang Yi
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Wang Yi continues to express its neutrality on the conflict in Ukraine.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The Chinese foreign ministry released in a statement, narrating the conversation between the French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, an imbalance in Europe's current security system is one of the main reasons behind the Ukrainian crisis.
"The main cause of the Ukraine issue is an imbalance in the European security system," Wang Yi said. "There is a need to follow the principle of indivisible security and recreate a balanced and effective security mechanism in Europe. This is the only way to establish lasting peace and stability in Europe," he emphasized.
The Chinese foreign minister stressed that all sides should clear the way for peace talks between Moscow and Kiev.
"You can’t call for a ceasefire and at the same time, continue the delivery of a large amount of weapons and ammunition, escalating hostilities," he noted.
Read more: Ukraine FM: 'My agenda is very simple: Weapons, weapons, weapons'
Today, the President of the European Council Charles Michel backed a proposal to sell €500 million ($542 million) worth of arms to Ukraine. The proposal was backed by 27 EU nations at the ambassador level.
China to EU: We are not party to crisis in Ukraine
China's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it was not doing anything to "circumvent" sanctions imposed on Russia.
EU officials had warned that attempts to aid Russia amid the war in Ukraine would damage economic ties with China. A foreign ministry official told reporters today: "We are not doing anything deliberately to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia by Americans and Europeans."
Beijing still holds firm to its stance of refusing to condemn Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.
Read more: NATO chief openly touts targeting China, cites Ukraine stance as excuse
Washington has said that China could potentially send military and economic aid to Russia to allow it to circumvent Western sanctions against it. This statement comes as a clear indication that China plans on doing no such thing.
"We oppose sanctions and the effects of these sanctions also risk spilling to the rest of the world," said Wang Lutong, director-general of the Chinese foreign ministry's department of European affairs, at a press briefing.
Lutong stressed that China is not a party to the crisis in Ukraine, and its normal trade with any other country should not be affected.
