China urges de-escalation of Ukraine crisis

BEIJING - China urged parties involved in the Ukraine crisis to stay calm and prevent measures that may escalate tensions on Monday, following talks of new sanctions on Russia by the European Union.

"It is imperative for all to cease fire, stay calm and promote political settlement of the Ukraine crisis by making use of current communication and coordination mechanisms," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang, responding to a question during routine briefing.

The EU decided early Sunday to give Moscow one week to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis, or they will impose tougher sanctions on Russia.

Qin told reporters sanctions might cause new complexities rather than help solve the Ukraine crisis.

The EU member states have different voices and concerns in imposing the sanctions, the spokesman added.

China hopes the talks among Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the Belarus capital of Minsk on Monday would achieve positive progress, he said.

Qin said the interests and concerns of all ethnic groups and political parties in Ukraine should be respected and accommodated while settling the crisis.

China called on parties concerned to take practical measures to build trust, ease the situation and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, said the spokesman.