The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called on the parties to the Ukraine conflict to exercise restraint following the exchange of missile strikes between Ukraine and Russia, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin's address to the nation, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian said at a briefing, TASS reports.
"Under the current circumstances, all sides should remain calm and show restraint, make efforts to de-escalate the situation through dialogue and consultations, and create conditions for a political settlement to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible," he said.
The Chinese spokesman also reaffirmed Beijing's position on the Ukrainian issue. China "supports resolving the crisis through political means and preventing further escalation," he said.