China is ready for dialog with the European Union on resolving the Ukrainian crisis and hopes the bloc will show strategic independence on the issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday, TASS reports.
"We are ready for dialog and communication with the European side on finding a political solution to the Ukrainian conflict," the Chinese diplomat said at a briefing, commenting on a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who called on China to play a constructive role in resolving the issue.
China is not a party to the Ukrainian conflict, Mao emphasized. "Hopefully, the EU will demonstrate strategic independence and political wisdom," she added.
According to Mao, Beijing strongly supports peaceful settlement in Ukraine and has been making an active contribution to that. She also expressed hope that the EU would take steps that would help maintain long-term stability in the region.
On Tuesday, von der Leyen said in an interview with the Financial Times that Beijing should play a "constructive" role in bringing peace to Ukraine. She said the EU was "concerned by [China’s] position of friendship with Russia."
