UN should mitigate, not inflame Russia-Ukraine conflict: Chinese official in Pakistan

As Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine enters its seventh day, Chinese diplomats in Pakistan are urging the United Nations to take steps to reduce conflict between the two countries rather than further inflame them.

“The steps taken by the UN Security Council should mitigate tensions not inflame them,” China’s Acting Consul General in Lahore Peng Zhengwu told Geo.tv in an exclusive talk. The Chinese officials added that the world body should promote diplomatic settlement, not escalation.

Zhengwu’s statement has come at a time when the majority of the world’s nations have voted in favor of a United Nations resolution demanding Russia immediately withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.

A total of 141 countries, out of 193, voted for the resolution which was adopted at a rare emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly.

However, five countries rejected the vote and 35 abstained. The countries which abstained included China, India and Pakistan.

Zhengwu said that China supports and encourages all diplomatic efforts conducive for a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis.

“China welcomes the early holding of direct dialogue and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine,” he told Geo.tv, “The Ukrainian issue has a complex historical background. Ukraine should become a bridge between East and West, not a front line of confrontation between the great powers.”

The officials further added that there needs to be a “balanced, effective and sustainable mechanism for European security” as well to address Russia’s concerns.

Zhengwu explained that while the UN should play a constructive role in resolving the Ukrainian issue, China has always disapproved of UN resolutions, which propose the use of force and the imposition of sanctions on a country.