1 of 2 | Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a talk with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in which the Russian Foreign Ministry said the pair agreed on "the general unacceptability of the Western bloc's confrontational policy towards Russia and China." File Photo by Russian FM Press Office/UPI |
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Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov spoke with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the phone during which they agreed that the Western alliance's combative stance on Russia and China was not acceptable, according to Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In addition to discussion of a range of current international issues, the pair noted "the general unacceptability of the Western bloc's confrontational policy towards Russia and China," the ministry said Monday in a Twitter post, apparently drawing equivalence between the global condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the differences western countries have with China.
Beijing's recounting of the substance of the call, however, was somewhat different saying only that it had assured Moscow that China's position on the Ukraine war was that it would continue to "uphold an independent and impartial stance."
"Wang Yi emphasized that on the Ukrainian crisis, China will uphold an independent and impartial stance, make an objective and rational voice, actively promote peace talks, and seek a political solution on any international multilateral occasion," China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a news release.
The statement added that Lavrov had told Wang said that Russia endorsed China's plan for a political settlement of the conflict and "appreciated and welcomed China's constructive role."
Beijing put forward a 12-point peace plan in February to coincide with the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has invested some, limited, diplomatic capital in trying to find a resolution, while at the same time strengthening ties with Moscow.
Lavrov and Wang's phone call came 24 hours after China participated in a two-day peace forum brokered by Saudi Arabia and attended by 40 countries -- including Ukraine, the United States, Britain, and 16 European Union-member nations -- but that Russia declined to take part in.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said participants had agreed on the importance of keeping international consultations and exchange of views and opinions alive to "build a common ground that will pave the way for peace."
However, Ukraine insisted that its peace proposal -- which calls for the restoration of its pre-2014 borders -- was the only plan discussed.
"There were different views, but all the participants demonstrated their countries' commitment to the principles of the U.N. Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and inviolability of the territorial integrity of states," said Andriy Yermak, Head of the Presidential Office, who led the Ukraine delegation.
"And it is on these principles that President Zelensky's Peace Formula is built, which we have described in detail."
