Escalating sanctions on Russia hindering global economic recovery — Chinese top diplomat

Wang Yi stressed that Beijing would continue efforts to promote the Russia-Ukraine peace talks

Escalating sanctions on Russia are complicating the global economic recovery process, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a telephone conversation with his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra, Qazet.az reports.

"The US and Europe keep tightening sanctions on Russia. As for the difficult recovery of the global economy, it is like once again rubbing salt in the wound. Besides, it is causing undue damage to the wellbeing of people in all countries," Wang Yi said, as cited on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website.

He was hopeful that "all parties will be able to make more efforts to facilitate peace talks rather than doing the opposite." "The international community is looking forward to an early ceasefire. It is also in line with China’s hopes and expectations," the Chinese top diplomat added.

He pointed out that "Russia and Ukraine have already held four rounds of talks." According to Wang Yi, "although progress is slow, there is hope for a ceasefire and a peaceful future if talks continue." The Chinese foreign minister also said that Beijing would continue efforts to promote the talks.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation based on a request from the heads of the Donbass republics. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans to occupy Ukrainian territories and the goal was to demilitarize and denazify the country. In response, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and a number of other countries announced sanctions on Russian individuals and entities.