KAZAN: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said there must be “no escalation of fighting” in Ukraine as he addressed world leaders at the BRICS summit held in the Russian city of Kazan.
Xi’s remarks come as the ongoing war in Ukraine and the escalating violence in Gaza dominate discussions among leaders from the BRICS group of emerging economies.
Addressing the summit, Xi reiterated China’s stance on the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need to prevent the fighting from intensifying. “The Ukraine crisis drags on… We must adhere to the three principles of ‘no spillover from the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no adding oil to the fire by relevant parties’ in order to ease the situation as soon as possible,” Xi stated.
Beijing claims neutrality in the Ukraine war, however, its close diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow have drawn criticism from Western powers.
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Russia, represented at the summit by President Vladimir Putin, has been facing international sanctions since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The BRICS summit in Kazan is the largest diplomatic event hosted by Russia since the war began. With around 20 world leaders in attendance, discussions are centered on geopolitical tensions, particularly the war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Xi’s call for restraint in Ukraine also extended to the Gaza conflict, where China has long been an advocate for Palestinian rights. Xi emphasized the need to halt the violence and work toward a resolution, stating, “We need to… stop the killing and work tirelessly for a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue.”
China has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause and has called for international efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. Xi reiterated Beijing’s desire to see the conflict resolved at the earliest opportunity, pushing for a ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian crises in the region.
