China says ceasefire ‘necessary step’ toward achieving peace in Ukraine

ISTANBUL

China on Monday said a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is a “necessary step” toward achieving peace.

This came as a 30-hour unilateral Easter ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin expired at midnight Monday without an extension. Both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating the ceasefire since it began.

“China welcomes all efforts towards a ceasefire,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing. “It is a necessary step towards achieving peace,” Guo said, state media reported.

“We hope that all relevant parties will continue to resolve the crisis through dialogue and negotiation,” Guo added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed to Russia a 30-day halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure.