The Chinese Ambassador Sun Lei speaks at a UN Security Council Briefing on January 12, 2026 Photo: UN News Website

China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Sun Lei, urged peace, dialogue and unity on the Ukraine issue at a United Nations Security Council briefing on Monday, saying the crisis has entered a critical stage for negotiated settlement and calling on all parties to push for a political solution.

Speaking at the briefing, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Sun Lei, said that the Ukraine crisis has dragged on for nearly four years and that while key stakeholders have proposed various peace initiatives and plans, fighting continues on the ground and repeated flare-ups have cast a shadow over the prospect of peace, according to a statement released by the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the UN. 

Sun stressed that peace must prevail over war, calling on all relevant parties to abide by the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of the fighting and no provocation by any party, in order to deescalate the situation, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, create conditions for political settlement and strive for the early realization of peace. 

Sun also underscored that dialogue must prevail over confrontation, urging the parties to the conflict to work toward the same goal, continuously build consensus, and take seriously and appropriately address each other's security concerns, in order to reach a comprehensive, lasting, and binding peace agreement as soon as possible. 

Sun further stressed that unity must prevail over division. He noted that China opposes the use of the crisis by any party as a pretext to impose illegal unilateral sanctions and disrupt normal trade and economic relations. China also opposes any opportunist attempts to divide the world and create exclusive blocs. 

China's position on the Ukraine issue has been crystal clear and consistent, Sun said, noting that China has maintained close communication with Russia, Ukraine and other relevant parties, actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy, and set up a Group of Friends for Peace, while continuing to make calls for peace, garner consensus and promote efforts toward a political settlement of the crisis.

Global Times