China has called for restraint on all sides after Russian President, Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, 24 February.
Naija News reports that the spokeswoman Hua Chunying during a press briefing where she was repeatedly asked if Beijing condemned the actions, blamed the United States and its Western allies in recent weeks for adding fuel to fire, and ‘hyping up’ the crisis.
It would be recalled that Putin launched a major military invasion into the country Ukraine from several directions on Thursday, with explosions heard in country’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,” Hua Chunying said.
She also noted that the military operation should not be described as an invasion.
Beijing has trod a cautious line on Ukraine as Moscow massed thousands of troops on the borders, and criticized the West for new sanctions after Russia ordered troops into two breakaway Ukrainian regions it now recognizes as independent.
Hua on Thursday refused to call the military action an ‘invasion,’ labeling the term ‘prejudiced,’ and dodged questions on whether China was in contact with Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
“The Ukraine issue has a very complicated historical background” and was the result of “various factors,” Hua said.
The Chinese embassy in Ukraine on Thursday warned its citizens to be alert for ‘severe disturbances’ and to stay home as much as possible.
