Chinese Foreign Ministry welcomes Putin's proposal for direct talks with Ukraine

China supports Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to hold direct talks with Ukraine. This was announced on May 12 by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

"We support all efforts to establish peace, we hope that the parties concerned will continue to negotiate through dialogue to reach a just, lasting and binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties, and eventually reach a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis," Ruptly video agency quoted him as saying.

Jiang added that negotiations are the only possible way to end the conflict in Ukraine. He noted that Beijing is ready to cooperate with Moscow and Kiev and contribute to reaching peace agreements.

Taming the fire: is Kiev ready for direct negotiations with the Russian Federation

So far, the Ukrainian authorities continue to issue ultimatums, repeating threats from Europe.

Earlier in the day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia's approach to direct negotiations with Ukraine had met with understanding and support from the leaders of many states. Peskov also stressed that Russia is committed to a serious search for ways to achieve a long-term peaceful settlement.

On May 11, Putin announced that Russia was offering Ukraine to resume direct talks in Istanbul on May 15. Peskov later said that the proposal voiced by the President of the Russian Federation indicates a real desire for peace.