China calls for cease-fire after one year of Russia-Ukraine war

China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday released a proposal on the war in Ukraine that calls for peace talks and an end to unilateral sanctions. The document, released on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, also suggests a cease-fire and says nuclear weapons must not be used. Western leaders criticized Beijing this week after it announced plans to strengthen ties with Moscow. China has refrained from directly condemning Russia’s invasion.

How has Kyiv responded to the document? Ukrainian officials said Friday that any plan to end the war must include the withdrawal of Russian troops, not just a cease-fire. The United Nations on Thursday approved a resolution demanding Russia pull its forces out of Ukraine, though the decision is not legally binding. China and 31 other countries abstained from voting on the UN’s resolution and seven voted against it.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell and Leigh Jones’ report in WORLD Magazine on the 365 days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.