Beijing - Saba:
China welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to hold direct negotiations with Ukraine on Monday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, "China welcomes all efforts aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine," in response to the Russian president's proposal to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul.
The spokesperson added in a press briefing: "We welcome all efforts aimed at achieving peace, and we hope that all relevant parties will continue to engage in dialogue and negotiations with the aim of reaching a just, lasting, binding, and mutually acceptable peace agreement, which will ultimately lead to a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis."