Speaking with Russian Foreign Minister, Wang Yi Confirms China's Neutral Position on Ukraine

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Beijing upholds an independent and impartial position on Ukraine, seeking to find a political settlement to this issue, in a telephone conversation Monday.

Wang's comments to Lavrov were announced in a Foreign Ministry statement, saying China would be an "objective and rational voice" in every international multilateral forum and "actively push forward peace negotiations", Reuters reported on August 8.

The remarks came after the ministry said Monday international talks in Saudi Arabia over the weekend to find a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis had helped "consolidate international consensus".

China sent its Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs and Former Ambassador to Russia Li Hui, who last May toured six European capitals to try to find common ground for a political settlement to the conflict which has now entered its 18th month.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the two top diplomats also discussed a number of global issues and bilateral relations between Beijing and Moscow.

"Both sides highly appreciate the ongoing development of Russia-China relations, which are showing stability and positive dynamics amid the general geopolitical instability of the planet," the ministry said, citing TASS.

Beijing is known to have refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Moscow in February 2022, as well as offer peace proposals that were met with skepticism by the United States and NATO.