Xi Jinping spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin
President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the afternoon of February 25.
Xi Jinping once again thanked Putin for coming to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics and congratulated the Russian athletes for their good results in finishing second in the medal table. Putin warmly congratulated all the Chinese on the complete success of the Beijing Winter Olympics and the outstanding performance of the Chinese delegation.
The two sides focused on the exchange of views on the current situation in Ukraine.
Putin briefed the historical latitude and longitude of the Ukrainian issue and Russia's special military operations and positions in eastern Ukraine, saying that the United States and NATO have long ignored Russia's reasonable security concerns, repeatedly reneged on their commitments, and continuously pushed forward military deployments to the east, challenging Russia's strategic bottom line. The Russian side is willing to carry out high-level negotiations with the Ukrainian side.
Xi Jinping pointed out that recently, the situation in the eastern region of Ukraine has changed dramatically, which has aroused great concern from the international community. China decides its position on the basis of the merits of the Ukrainian issue itself. It is necessary to abandon the Cold War mentality, attach importance to and respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and form a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism through negotiations. China supports Russia and Ukraine in resolving the issue through negotiations. China's basic position on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and abiding by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations is consistent. China is willing to work with all parties in the international community to advocate a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept and firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law.
Wang Yi elaborated on China's five-point position on the current Ukrainian issue
On February 25, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a telephone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Tras, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrelli and French presidential adviser Bonault, focusing on the in-depth exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine. Wang Yi expounded China's basic position on the Ukrainian issue, which was summarized as follows:
China firmly stands for respecting and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and earnestly abiding by the purposes and principles of the CHARTER. This position is consistent and clear, and the same applies in the case of Ukraine.
2. China advocates a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept. It is believed that the security of one country cannot be at the expense of the security of other countries, and regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs. The legitimate security concerns of all States should be respected. In the case of NATO's five consecutive rounds of eastward expansion, Russia's legitimate demands on security should be taken seriously and properly resolved.
China has been following the evolution of the Ukrainian issue, and the current situation is something we do not want to see. It is imperative that all parties exercise the necessary restraint to avoid the situation in Ukraine from deteriorating or even spiraling out of control. The safety of civilian life and property should be effectively guaranteed, in particular to prevent large-scale humanitarian crises.
China supports and encourages all diplomatic efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. China welcomes the holding of direct dialogue and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine as soon as possible. The evolution of the Ukrainian question has a complex historical dimension. Ukraine should be a bridge between East and West, not a front for great power confrontation. China also supports the Dialogue between the EUROPEAN side and Russia on an equal footing on European security issues, leading to the formation of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism.
China believes that the UN Security Council should play a constructive role in resolving the Ukrainian issue, putting regional peace and stability first and the general security of all countries. The council's actions should cool tensions rather than add fuel to the fire and should be conducive to a diplomatic settlement rather than a further escalation of the situation. In view of this, China has always disapproved of the fact that Security Council resolutions often invoke Chapter VII authorizing the use of force and sanctions.
Wang Yi said that as a permanent member of the Security Council and a responsible major country, China has always faithfully fulfilled its international obligations and played a constructive role in safeguarding world peace and stability. On the issue of peace and security, China is the largest country on record. We have never invaded other countries, never engaged in proxy wars, never sought spheres of influence, and never participated in confrontations with military groups. China adheres to the path of peaceful development and is committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind. We will continue to firmly oppose all hegemonic powers and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the vast number of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries.
Putin plans to send a delegation to negotiate with the Ukrainian side
According to the Russian News Agency reported on the 25th, the Russian presidential press secretary Peskov said on the same day that Russian President Putin was ready to send a delegation to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, to negotiate with the Ukrainian side. The Russian delegation will include representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kremlin.
On February 25, local time, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the Ukrainian side refused to hold talks and proposed to discuss the issue on the 26th.
Ukraine's UNIAN News Agency reported on the 26th that Ukrainian President Zelenskiy's press secretary Niky Frov said that Ukraine and Russia are negotiating on the location and time of the negotiation process, and Ukraine is ready to "talk about ceasefire and peace issues." He denied claims that Ukraine had abandoned negotiations.
According to reports, Podolyak, an adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that in addition to discussing ceasefire and peace, the Ukrainian side does not rule out discussing ukraine's neutrality in the negotiations, as well as a package of security guarantees.
The United States announced that it would impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov
On February 25, local time, White House spokesman Psaki said that the United States will impose a series of sanctions on Russian President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov. Details of the sanctions will be announced at a later date.
In addition, on February 25, local time, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrelli said in Brussels that the 27 member states of the European Union have reached a consensus on further sanctions against Russia and will freeze the assets of Russian President Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Europe. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russian President Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov that Russia will continue to respond to these measures.
The UNITED NATIONS Security Council did not adopt a draft resolution on the situation in Ukraine
On February 25, local time, the United Nations Security Council voted on a draft resolution on the situation in Ukraine submitted by the United States and Albania. The resolution was not adopted because Russia voted down the draft.
In the Security Council vote, 11 votes were in favour, 1 was vetoed and 3 abstentions. As Russia is a permanent member of the Council, the draft resolution could not be adopted.
Chinese Embassy in Ukraine: Do not arbitrarily reveal identities and display identifying signs
In recent times, with the continuous escalation of the war in Ukraine and Russia, the extreme behavior in Ukrainian society has increased, and it has even been shot with guns, posing a security risk to my Chinese citizens in Ukraine.
The Chinese Embassy in Ukraine would like to remind the compatriots that in the current special period of the security situation in Ukraine, we must attach great importance to getting along with the Ukrainian people in friendship, avoid disputes over specific issues, and strive to solve problems through friendly means. Try not to go out and stay away from military installations, military personnel and gun owners to reduce security risks. Do not photograph ongoing firefights and people, and do not take pictures without the consent of the other party. Don't show your identity and display identifying signs.
In addition, beware of all kinds of fraudulent propaganda related to taking charter flights, high salaries to join mercenaries, etc., and all matters related to the evacuation of our citizens back to China shall be subject to the notice issued by the Embassy.
In Wuhua: I believe that the motherland is the strongest backing
What happened to the civilians of Ukraine in the midst of war? This is a major concern for the whole world at present.
Yesterday, the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine issued an urgent notice: it will return Chinese citizens in Ukraine by charter flights in batches. Ms. Ye, a Chinese student in Ukraine, said that after receiving the notification, she immediately filled out the form, her mood relaxed a lot, and she installed a small Chinese flag in her cartoon coin purse. Ms. Ye did not have a car, but the national flag has always been put away by her, "I believe that the motherland is our strongest backing."
Li, who is currently studying in Kharkiv, Ukraine, said that when he received the notice of evacuation, everyone was very happy, felt that there was hope, and had completed the application registration and stockpiled enough materials for 2 weeks. Li introduced that the local hydropower network is basically normal, yesterday there was an exchange of fire in Linshi, the fire light illuminated the sky, the windows and the ground were shaking, and everyone stayed in the surrounding subway station for a day. Li said that they replaced the mobile phone lock screen, wallpaper, etc. with five-star red flags so that they could always be taken out for others to see.
@Dasha Mei Aikai, a Chinese who lives in Ukraine, said that he had lived in Ukraine for more than two decades and did not expect to encounter such a situation, and at the same time as the video was filmed, a missile flew over his head.
He said the family had gone into hiding in the basement, the banking system had collapsed, the money deposited could not be withdrawn at present, and now the "most valuable" was the Chinese passport, hoping to take the family with them when evacuating overseas Chinese.
At the Arsenal subway station, the deepest subway station in Kiev, Ukraine, Xinhua News Agency reporters saw that many local citizens were hiding from air raids here.
People take shelter in a subway station in Kiev, Ukraine, on Feb. 25. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lu Jinbo
The subway is still operating, and a Kiev citizen said in Russian: "I hope everything will get better quickly". She is still unsure whether to leave Kiev and continues to observe the situation.
The subway stations are full of evasive citizens, while the streets of Kiev are empty. Shops on both sides of the street have closed, and people are riding on the street with large bags and small bags of luggage, ready to leave.
A number of media reported on the 25th that Kiev sounded several violent explosions in the early morning of the same day, and Ukrainian officials said that Kiev was hit by the Russian army. The reporter found that outside a residential building, there is a large pit left by a bomb, the amusement facilities in the vacant place are currently intact, the children are swinging, but the surrounding houses have been damaged to varying degrees, the glass of the residential building has all been blown up, and the downstairs is full of glass debris and building debris.
Shanghai News Broadcasting is synthesized from Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, News Morning News, etc
Editor: Chen Wen
Editor-in-Charge: Min Chen