China appealed for moderation on all sides on Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an attack on Ukraine, but said the military action should not be dubbed an “invasion.”
On Thursday, Putin declared the start of a massive military attack, and ground soldiers entered the nation from many locations, with explosions reported in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.
“China is closely watching the latest situation, and we call on all parties to maintain restraint and prevent the situation from getting out of control,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a routine news conference when questioned repeatedly if Beijing opposed the acts.
Beijing has taken a cautious approach to Ukraine, despite Moscow amassing thousands of soldiers on its borders, and has criticized the West for imposing further sanctions after Russia moved troops into two separatist Ukrainian areas that it now recognizes as autonomous.
Despite Moscow deploying thousands of troops on its borders, Beijing has chosen a cautious stance toward Ukraine, criticizing the West for slapping more sanctions after Russia put troops into two rebel Ukrainian territories that it now recognizes as an independent.
“The Ukraine issue has a very complicated historical background,” Hua said, adding that it was the consequence of “various factors.”
In the past few weeks, China has accused the US and its Western allies of “hyping up” the problem, with Hua claiming earlier on Wednesday that the US was “throwing gasoline to the fire.” The Chinese embassy in Ukraine cautioned its nationals on Thursday to be on the lookout for “serious disruptions” and to stay as close to home as possible.
