The Chinese ambassador expressed alarm at the loss of civilian life in Ukraine and thanked countries including Russia for helping to evacuate its citizens.
However, with the number of casualties now in the thousands—and the Chinese government reporting at least one of its citizens wounded by gunfire—Beijing has"We remained concerned about the rapidly changing situation in Ukraine, and deeply deplore the increasing number of civilian casualties," said Ambassador Zhang."We appeal for the maximum degree of restraint and intensification of diplomatic efforts, so as to put an early end to the fight ...
"That the situation in Ukraine has deteriorated to where it is today is due to a combination of complex factors. To resolve complex issues, what is required is calm and reason, rather than adding fuel to the flame, which will only lead to escalation," he said.
The UN's human rights office estimated there had been at least 406 civilian deaths and 801 injuries as of Monday. U.S. intelligence officers toldLinda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S.'s permanent representative to the UN, told the Security Council that Russia needed to provide a"firm, clear, public and unequivocal commitment" to allow humanitarian access to war zones in Ukraine.