NEW YORK, March 4 (RIA Novosti) – China appeared to distance itself from Russia on Monday by calling for a peaceful resolution to the current situation in Ukraine during a session at the United Nations.
The statement by China, which often adopts a similar position to Russia on global affairs, follows reports in Kremlin-controlled media and statements from Russian officials suggesting that Beijing backs Moscow’s position on Ukraine.
Russian troops began seizing control of the southern Ukrainian region of Crimea last week and the upper house of the Russian parliament approved the use of military force in Ukraine on Saturday.
“China will follow the course of events on the ground and calls on all sides to find a political solution through dialogue and negotiations on the basis of a respect for international law and the principals of international relations,” Chinese ambassador to the UN Liu Jieyi said during a special session devoted to the Ukrainian crisis.
Russia has appeared increasingly isolated internationally over its position on Ukraine, with world leaders condemning Moscow’s armed incursion as an invasion and calling for economic sanctions.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday that China understood Russia’s analysis of the political crisis in Ukraine and the role external forces were playing.
Rossiiskaya Gazeta, the official Russian government newspaper, carried a report Tuesday that cited Chinese media and suggested Beijing supported Moscow over Ukraine.
China has been a traditional ally of Russia on the world stage in recent years. Moscow and Beijing have presented a united front on war-torn Syria, joining forces last year to oppose a proposal for military intervention there made by the United States.
