China urges an END to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as it calls for ceasefire and peace talks

China has called for an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as its Foreign Ministry called for a ceasefire and peace talks on Wednesday.

The communist state said it wants to prevent the crisis from spiraling out of control, saying dialogue and negotiation are the only viable ways to resolve the conflict, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry position paper released on Friday.

On the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China has called for a comprehensive ceasefire of the fighting and is gradually promoting de-escalation and easing the situation.

Conflict and war benefit no one. All parties must be rational and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the flames and escalating tensions, and prevent the crisis from deteriorating further or even spiraling out of control,” the statement said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has set targets for the second year of the invasion and after a series of speeches in the run-up to the anniversary, announced plans to deploy the new Sarmat multi-warhead ICBMs this year.

“Nuclear weapons must not be used and nuclear war cannot be waged,” the statement said. “We oppose the development, use of biological and chemical weapons by any country under any circumstances.”