China urges peace in Ukraine after US clears missile strikes on Russia

Beijing, China - China reiterated calls Monday for a peaceful settlement to the war in Ukraine, after Washington cleared Kyiv to use long-range American missiles against military targets inside Russia.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian (r.) has urged a "cooling down" of tensions after the US authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets inside Russia.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian (r.) has urged a "cooling down" of tensions after the US authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets inside Russia.  © Collage: John Hamilton / DoD / AFP & IMAGO / Kyodo News

"An early ceasefire and a political solution serve the interests of all parties," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular briefing, when asked about the US decision.

"The most urgent thing is to promote the cooling down of the situation as soon as possible," he said.

China presents itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war and says it is not sending lethal assistance to either side, unlike the US and other Western nations.

China strikes back with US export restrictions in escalating semiconductor trade war
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On Monday, Lin said: "China has always encouraged and supported all efforts conducive to a peaceful resolution of the crisis."

Beijing, he added, "is willing to continue to play a constructive role in the political resolution of the Ukraine crisis in its own way."

Lin also rebuffed reports that EU officials had obtained proof that Russian drones being used in the war were being manufactured in China.

Beijing "has never provided lethal weapons to parties in the conflict, and has from the beginning strictly controlled military and dual-use drones in accordance with laws and regulations," he said.

"It is hoped that relevant countries and persons will not make wild speculations or smear and slander China without factual basis."

Cover photo: Collage: John Hamilton / DoD / AFP & IMAGO / Kyodo News

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