China backs Putin’s Ukraine peace proposal
September 5, 2014, 5:37 am

US President Barack Obama (right), German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (left) deep in discussion in Wales during the 2014 Nato summit on 4 September 2014 [Image: Ukraine Presidency]

On Thursday, China put its weight solidly behind Russian President Vladimir Putin’s seven-point peace plan for Ukraine, with the first step being an immediate ceasefire between separatist rebels and Ukrainian forces.

“We have acknowledged President Vladimir Putin’s seven-point plan, and hope this proposal can facilitate a more political solution to the tensions,” said Qin Gang, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

China reiterated its stance on a political solution for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in a Foreign Ministry press briefing.

“China has urged Russia and Ukraine to reach a ceasefire deal, and start inclusive dialogue for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis,” said Gang.

During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 6^th BRICS Summit in July in Brazil, Chinese President Xi Jinping had said Moscow and Beijing will intensify “political support to each other”.

During the meet, Putin said he and Xi are “personally pushing forward the bilateral cooperation”.

The China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee said last week it is laying the groundwork for a Xi-Putin summit in October.

Meanwhile, Putin said he expected Ukraine and the separatists to reach an agreement after fresh talks on Friday in Minsk, Belarus.

“The only thing we need now for peace and stability is just two main things: first, that Russia withdraw their troops, and second, to close the border,” said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko after talks with NATO leaders on Thursday.

Moscow denies Russian troops are present in Ukraine.

UN figures say the violence in eastern Ukraine has killed over 2,600 people and rendered 340,000 homeless.

TBP and Agencies