Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today defended Russia’s “reasonable concerns” over its security during a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Anthony Blinken on the crisis in Ukraine.

“We urge all parties to show restraint, refrain from escalating tensions and exacerbating the crisis,” Wang was quoted as saying by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Washington and its Western allies accuse Moscow of preparing to invade Ukraine after gathering 100,000 troops near the border with its neighboring country. Russia has denied its intentions to do so and has called on NATO to pledge not to expand into Ukraine, a request rejected by the West.

Without naming NATO, Wang said that “regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or expanding military blocs.” He further added that “Russia’s reasonable security concerns should be taken seriously and resolved.”

For his part, “Minister Blinken underlined the global risks to security and the economy that would provoke a new Russian attack on Ukraine and noted that de-escalation and diplomacy are the way forward,” said Ned Price, State Department spokesman, after the communication of the two Ministers.

Source: AMNA

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