Cessation of arms supplies is necessary to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, China’s Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui told reporters on Wednesday during a working visit to Saratov, the Russian state agency TASS reports, citing Rador.

“We believe that, first of all, a ceasefire is needed. Any conflicts must be resolved peacefully. A cease-fire requires the cessation of arms supplies. Fire should be extinguished with water, not firewood. We should not add gas to the fire,” the ambassador said.

Zhang Hanhui added that the Republic of China will continue to maintain close communication and cooperation with all parties to resolve the situation in Ukraine.

“We are ready to maintain close contact and cooperation with all parties and will direct our joint efforts to consultations to create the necessary conditions for peaceful negotiations to resolve this conflict. [din Ucraina]”, the ambassador also stated.

The President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, had a telephone conversation with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, on Wednesday, reports the Chinese state television company CCTV, Reuters reports.

According to the source, they exchanged views on relations between China and Ukraine. Beijing will send a special emissary to Ukraine to discuss the solution to the Ukrainian crisis with all parties involved, Xi Jinping said, according to CCTV.

China has always been on the side of peace in the Ukraine crisis, and China’s main position is to call for peace and promote negotiations, the Chinese leader added.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi confirmed the discussion on Twitter: “I had a long and meaningful telephone conversation with the President of China, Xi Jinping. I believe that this conversation, as well as the appointment of the ambassador of Ukraine to the People’s Republic of China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations.”