China's Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Zhang Jun seems fed up with
the debate over Western claims about Russia's planned invasion of Ukraine.
He stressed emphatically that using the UN Security Council to debate the
impasse on the border between Russia and Ukraine was inappropriate.
According to him, the consultation would be better held in a different
situation. The statement came as tensions flared in Eastern Europe.
Speaking Monday (31/1/2022) at a meeting of the United Nations Security
Council, which the US requested to convene, Zhang Jun said, "Discussing the
situation in an open assembly does not contribute to reducing tensions."
“Russia has repeatedly stated that it has no plans to launch any military
action. And Ukraine has made it clear that it does not need war," the
ambassador stressed.
“Under such circumstances, what is the basis for the countries concerned to
insist that there will be war?” he said loudly.
According to the envoy, “The parties involved should try to resolve their
differences through dialogue and negotiation.”
“We urgently need quiet diplomacy now, not megaphone diplomacy.
Unfortunately, the US does not accept such a constructive proposal," Zhang
stressed.
Western leaders have sounded the alarm several times in recent months,
claiming Moscow may be planning an imminent launch of an invasion of
Ukraine. The allegations have been repeatedly denied by the Kremlin.
Last week, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said, while Moscow has
yet to order an attack on its neighbour, "Kiev is already suffering
economically and is becoming weaker because of the panic that is spreading
to society."
In late January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told citizens in a
televised speech that the risk of invasion had not increased. "There's more
sensational promotion about it now," he said.
Secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine Alexey Danilov also
tried to play down the threat. "Russian troop buildup is not as fast as some
claim," he said.
